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An elderly man kneels on a green mat with his hands flat while a cream Exotic Shorthair stretches its back in front of him. 16 / 29

Earl Rolled Out His Mat for Morning Stretches. He Wasn't Alone for Long.

AI imageexotic shorthairstretchingliving room

Down on a green mat in the middle of the living room, Earl has his palms pressed flat and his back eased into a gentle stretch, chuckling at the scene unfolding in front of him. Custard has stepped right onto the mat and arched into a stretch of her own, back legs planted, plush body leaning forward, flat face wearing the most serious expression imaginable. It looks very much like she is copying her teacher. A water bottle waits on the coffee table, slippers rest by the couch, and a laundry basket spills over with blankets in the corner.

Gentle daily movement is one of the best habits for staying limber with age, and simple floor stretches, chair exercises, and short walks are popular choices for many older adults. Anyone starting a new routine should check with their doctor first and move slowly, without pushing into pain. A pet can make the habit easier to stick with, adding a dose of fun and a reason to get moving at the same time each day. Cats, of course, are natural stretching experts. They stretch after nearly every nap to wake up their muscles and loosen their spines, which is why the classic cat pose shows up in so many stretching routines.

Custard may not be counting breaths, but her form is excellent. Earl could do worse than to follow the example of a cat who never skips a stretch after a nap.

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