That said, holding stretches longer and focusing on relaxing while stretching hardly seems risky, and could be worth a try.
Haha yes I just saw a youtube video last night of a personal account that said something that seemed to directly contradict what the author of this post learned ("static stretches don't work" whereas this author is saying they worked for him).
I feel like for these kinds of cases where there is contradictory information that it is better to rely on direct experience in my own body rather than just scientific information about what's supposed to work. Use mindful awareness to feel directly what's happening in the muscles and tissues and how it changes over time using the different types of techniques. Then I don't really need to believe anything anyone says. The downside of this approach is that we may miss out on important information if we're ONLY relying on direct experience. But direct experience should be the foundation in my opinion.
This would be similar to going to the gym and trying to figure out what works for you for gaining strength or muscle mass while ignoring the research/existing knowledge. Very likely you'll get nowhere. The proper approach is to do the research, start from a well supported base, and then fine tune to your own body/requirements.
(but yes, all those links are sponsored links)
Take a look at people walking out of yoga studios some time. They look fit, move well and seem healthy at rates far more than other people their age.
That was enough reason for me.
(With the usual caveat any good yoga instructor will give “never overdo it” or direct from the yoga sutras “relax the intensity of your efforts, because This. Never. Ends.”)