And try to relax and breathe while stretching. If you tense up you're canceling out your efforts! I'll try to give myself a massage while I stretch. For the touching the toes..try not to round your back. Then the stretch is all in the back and not so much in your hips/hamstrings. Think of rotating your pelvis forward. I like to lean my rear end against a wall and hang over forward. I can relax better and stay there for much longer that way.