What is it?
AIS is a form of stretching to relieve pain and realign posture. It was founded by Aaron Mattes in the US about 30 years ago after he suffered a severe sporting injury. Hong Kong-based Chris Watts (who trained under Mattes in Florida) offers the therapy at Stretch studio in Central, which he opened with his wife, Sylvie, in December 1999. Stretch, which is opening a studio in London in August, has seven staff.
How does it work?
According to AIS principles, contracting one muscle relaxes and lengthens the opposite muscle without force, and also stretches joints. Because you're lying down, the assisted stretch doesn't put pressure on other areas of the body.
To start, Watts (below) assesses your posture. In my case, he quickly works out that one hip is higher than the other (this affects the entire right side) and that the right shoulder tends to torque, or round inwards. The result is lower back pain.
Watts says AIS can have immediate results. 'Your body is like a chain,' he says. 'It's only as strong as your weakest link.' The AIS session aims to increase the body's symmetry.