SPLICED Magazine Issue 02 Dec/Jan 2014 | Page 165

SPLICED GAMING / ISSUE 02 FEATURE / GAMING STRETCHES 03 Spell caster stance stretch – both hands held out in front of you, spreading the fingers as wide as possible and stretch out for 30 seconds. (Necromancers, mages and conjurers all lay claim to this superb spell casting stretch, its origins are not known). 04 Assassin’s leap of faith – no tall buildings for this one unless you have completed the ten year apprenticeship of the Assassin Order. Stand with feet hip distance apart. Arms lifted out to sides, about 100 degrees. Stretch them gently backwards with shoulders relaxed (away from your ears). While holding the stretch go up onto your toes and lower to your heels ten times. Assassins hardly ever had blood clots, whereas gamers definitely are more at risk especially over those long bouts of LAN gaming. 03 06 05 06 05 Ryu’s Hadouken wrist extension – one arm straight out in front of you with fingers pointing up towards the ceiling, grab your fingertips with the opposite hand and pull back gentling holding for 30 seconds. Repeat on opposite side. 04 06 The Chocobo shake – arms loosely at side and gently shake out the wrist, elbows and shoulders for 30 seconds (the funky chicken was said to have stolen this from the Chocobo homeworld; that pillow fight goes on to this day). 04 This tome of stretches is no replacement for a consultation with a member of your local physiotherapy magi council. Repetitive strain injuries can draw on your power leaving you defenseless in the face of an enemy onslaught. There was a spate of overzealous gamers hitting imaginary objects with their Wii remotes giving themselves rotator cuff injuries in their shoulders. No hero ever made it to their final confrontation without a friendly apothecary or physio-magi. These select stretches can be done gently as needed but are recommended at least once in a gaming session. A good rest from gaming should be about 5 minutes every hour; a gentle walk, wrestling matches with your brother or getting some hydration for those tired muscles will do. Do some stretches. Keep moving. Your character will appreciate it. You did save right? Well come on lets reload, load up on a physio power up token and kick the crap out of that boss. Like a boss.  165