Scientific studies have shown that leaving the muscles' stretching at the end of a series of exercises could be more harmful than beneficial.
When exercising (workout, yoga, etc), the muscles are strongly solicited and, as a result they 'contract' or go from their greater length to their shorter position.
The contraction is also a protective mechanism called 'muscle spindle' that prevents the muscle from stretching when it is under too much tension.
You can see why asking muscles to stretch to their greater length right after making them contract for an hour or so is not the best idea.
The muscles are already under a lot of stress and intense, static stretch could cause injury.
RISKS
🔸intense fatigue of the muscles
🔸low oxygen in the muscles (anaerobic)
🔸rush out of toxins that were just released
Going from great contraction to great stretch can result in micro tears of the muscle's fibres, leading to less elasticity and injury.
WHEN SHOULD WE STRETCH?
It then makes sense to do gentle stretches before exercising, as a warm-up and with breathing exercises
beginning.
🔸breathing exercises will help detox the lungs and bring fresh oxygen to the whole body
🔸fresh blood will circulate to all the muscles and gently 'wake them up'
WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO FINISH A WORKOUT?
🔸Just relax in Savasana!
Allow the muscles to calmly recover by themselves. 😉