There are many forms of activities that provide useful stretching exercise, such as Yoga and Tai-Chi. Stretching has long been known to improve not just muscle tone, but joint flexibility, balance and posture. On this page I provide brief descriptions of some stretching exercises you can easily do at home. These basic stretching activities (or Yoga, Tai-chi or some other discipline involving stretching) should be incorporated into everyone’s exercise regime.
These basic stretching exercises are in two groups: static and dynamic. (There are other variations, but these are the two important groups to get you started.)
In static stretching exercises you stretch your muscles in a slow controlled movement, then hold that stretched position. Dynamic stretching involves controlled movement that has a stretching effect on joints or muscles, especially at the end of each movement.
Dr. Marc Ronert - Age Later 