Laurie Bloom Flexibility

Best Time of Day to Stretch for Maximum Flexibility Gains.

5/24/2025

Hey Flexy Friends!

If you've ever wondered when is the best time to stretch to actually get more flexible, you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions I get from my aerial and flexibility students, and the answer might just surprise you.

Let’s break it down--science, real-life practice, and a sprinkle of personal experience (because ya girl stretches like it's her job… oh wait, it is).

Morning Stretching: The Wake-Up Call Your Body Might Need
First off, morning stretching can feel amazing—especially if you wake up tight, sore, or like a human pretzel that slept wrong on a cruise ship bunk bed (been there).

Pros of Stretching in the Morning:

Helps wake up your body and mind
Can reduce that stiff, “robot” feeling
Sets a mindful tone for your day
Great for dynamic stretches or mobility flows (not deep static stretching)

- Important: Your body temperature is lower in the morning, and your muscles are more stiff. That means morning isn’t ideal for deep flexibility work—but it is amazing for gentle movement and mobility.

Some of my favorite morning stretch tools:

Yoga Mat with Alignment Lines – makes it so easy to stay centered
Foam Roller (Amazon Basics) – I love rolling out tight spots before I move
Back Warmer Belt – keeps your spine nice and toasty while you stretch

Evening Stretching: The Flexibility Sweet Spot

Okay, here’s the gold: evening is actually the best time of day for deep flexibility gains.
Here’s why:

Your muscles are warmer and more pliable after a full day of movement
Body temperature peaks in the late afternoon/evening = optimal stretch time
You’re less rushed, more relaxed (hello, parasympathetic nervous system!)
Great way to wind down and prep for better sleep

If you’re working on big goals—like splits, backbends, or deep shoulder mobility—THIS is your moment.

Pro tip: Add a little heat for even deeper gains. I love using a heat pack or even doing my stretch routine after a warm shower.

My must-haves for evening stretching sessions:

Stretching Strap with Loops – total game changer for splits and hamstring work
Infrared Heating Pad – I use this on my back before cheststands and it’s heaven
Resistance Bands Set – awesome for strength + stretch work

So... When Should YOU Stretch?

Here’s my advice:
👉 Do light, dynamic stretching in the morning (think mobility, foam rolling, yoga flow)
👉 Save deep flexibility sessions for late afternoon or evening when your body is warm and you can go deeper safely
But hey--the best time to stretch is also when you’ll actually do it! If your schedule only allows mornings, that’s still amazing. Consistency beats perfection every time.

✨ Bonus Tips for Maximizing Flexibility Gains

Let’s talk about a few extras that make a BIG difference in your stretch game:

Hydrate like crazy! Muscles need water to stay elastic
Fuel your body. Collagen, magnesium, and omega-3s can support joint and tissue health
Track your progress with photos or a stretch journal—it’s super motivating!

I recommend:

Collagen Peptides Powder – for joint and connective tissue support
Triple Magnesium Complex – helps with soreness and muscle relaxation
Fish Oil Omega-3 Softgels – essential for my aerial and flexibility training

Let’s Chat
So now that you know the best time of day to stretch—are you Team Morning Mobilizer or Team Evening Bender? Tell me in the comments or DM me on IG! I love hearing what works for your body and routine

-Laurie

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The Ultimate Daily Stretch Routine for Aerialists (using an aerial hammock!)

5/9/2025

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How to Build Flexibility & Control with the Aerial Hammock

If you're an aerialist working on silks, hammock, lyra, or rope, you probably already know: flexibility is so important! But more than that, it has to be smart flexibility: strong, intentional, and consistent.

In today’s post, I want to share how I approach daily stretching with an aerialist’s mindset—and how I use my aerial hammock to deepen flexibility, support my contortion training, and stay performance-ready. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to watch my latest YouTube video, where I demonstrate this style of training in action— intentional movement in the hammock designed to make you feel strong and bendy!

Why I Stretch Daily as an Aerialist Daily stretching doesn’t have to mean long, intense sessions. What matters is: Consistency Quality movement And knowing how to listen to your body For aerialists, daily stretching helps with:

- Preventing injuries (especially shoulders, hips, and spine)

-Improving range of motion for poses like splits, inversions, and backbends

-Enhancing control so flexibility translates into the air—not just on the floor

Tools I Use in My Flexibility Practice (These are my personal faves—affiliate links included!)

🔗 My Aerial Hammock Setup – Perfect for home stretching & supported contortion
🔗 Back Warmer – Keeps my spine safe during deep backbends
🔗 Yoga Blocks – Extra support for hip openers and split alignment
🔗 Thick Yoga Mat – Soft enough for knees, firm enough for strength drills

What a “Daily Stretch Routine” Looks Like for Me Rather than a rigid list of stretches, I treat my daily flexibility like a flow or check-in. Most days, it looks something like: Gentle warm-up: I start on the floor or the mat, easing into movement Hammock time: I use the aerial hammock to explore shapes, backbends, and hip openers Active holds & breathing: Some resistance band work or leg lifts to build control Cool-down: A few grounding stretches to finish The key? It’s adaptable and fits how my body feels that day. I’m not pushing to max range every time—I’m training for longevity and strength in the air.

Final Thoughts: What Flexibility Really Takes Being bendy isn’t about being born naturally flexible—it’s about showing up for yourself, even for just 15–20 minutes a day. Whether you use a hammock, the floor, or a resistance band, the important thing is that you’re doing it intentionally.

I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a favorite stretch tool or technique? Want me to do a follow-along version of this video? Looking for specific tutorials (splits, backbends, shoulders)? Let me know in the comments or on YouTube—I’m always creating for YOU!

WATCH: HOW I TRAIN FLEXIBILITY IN MY AERIAL HAMMOCK THIS VIDEO IS A REAL-TIME GLIMPSE INTO HOW I USE THE HAMMOCK TO SUPPORT DEEP STRETCHING, BACKBENDING, AND CONTORTION WORK. WATCH IT HERE:

TRY OUT SOME OF THE IDEAS IN YOUR OWN FLOW, OR JUST LET IT INSPIRE YOUR NEXT TRAINING SESSION!

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Author

Laurie is a professional performer, flexibility coach, and aerial enthusiast with a passion for movement and artistry. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, she blends her background in musical theatre and aerial arts to help others build strength, mobility, and confidence. Having personally experienced the transformative power of flexibility training, Laurie loves sharing effective techniques to help others unlock their full potential—whether on the ground or in the air.

Best Time of Day to Stretch for Maximum Flexibility Gains.

The Ultimate Daily Stretch Routine for Aerialists (using an aerial hammock!)

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“Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.” Henry Ford