The Complete Guide to Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)

After more than 40 years of developing and teaching Active Isolated Stretching (AIS), Aaron Mattes presents his most comprehensive guide to date. Aaron Mattes’ Active Isolated Stretching brings together the techniques, principles, and practical applications that have made AIS a trusted stretching method for healthcare professionals, fitness specialists, athletes, and individuals seeking improved flexibility and movement.

Featuring over 700 full-color photographs, this comprehensive reference demonstrates the proper mechanics of stretching using specific, isolated techniques designed to improve muscle and fascial flexibility.

Two Complete Learning Sections

Active Stretching

The Active Section teaches individuals how to perform AIS stretches independently using a simple, step-by-step format. Each stretch includes:

• Full-color start and finish photographs
• Clear, easy-to-follow instructions
• Identification of the muscles being stretched
• Proper body positioning and technique
• Guidance for performing each stretch safely and effectively

Assisted Stretching

The Assisted Section teaches practitioners and caregivers how to safely assist another person during stretching. Each technique includes:

• Detailed full-color photographs
• Proper hand placement and body mechanics
• Muscles being targeted
• Step-by-step instructions for safe and effective assisted stretching

The book is organized by body region, making it easy to learn and apply techniques for virtually every major muscle group from head to toe.

Who Should Read This Book?

This comprehensive guide is an excellent resource for:

• Physicians
• Chiropractors
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Massage therapists
• Athletic trainers
• Strength and conditioning coaches
• Personal trainers
• Parents of young athletes
• Fitness enthusiasts
• Anyone interested in improving flexibility and movement

Whether you are a healthcare professional expanding your clinical skills or someone looking to improve your own flexibility, this book provides practical instruction that is easy to understand and apply.

A Valuable Resource for Personal Trainers

Active Isolated Stretching has become increasingly popular among personal trainers because it helps improve client flexibility, mobility, and overall movement quality. The book’s straightforward instructional format makes it easy to learn the techniques and confidently incorporate AIS into training sessions.

Benefits for Massage Therapists

Massage therapists have successfully incorporated Active Isolated Stretching into their practices for more than four decades. Today, AIS is taught in massage schools and continuing education programs around the world.

AIS complements massage therapy by actively moving muscles through controlled agonist-antagonist patterns, helping to warm soft tissues, increase flexibility, and prepare the body for a variety of massage techniques, including:

• Swedish massage
• Neuromuscular therapy
• Deep tissue massage
• Trigger point therapy

By improving tissue mobility before hands-on treatment, AIS can help massage therapists work more effectively and efficiently while enhancing client outcomes.