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WHAT'S NEW
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Stress-relieving exercises
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5 exercises that tackle tension, increase circulation and deliver a mental boost
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By Jill Barker
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Bend and stretch (top);
twist and reach (bottom)
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Bend and stretch
• Stand tall with feet hip distance apart.
• Place your hands on the front of your thighs and bend over from the hips, rounding your back, tucking your chin and bending your knees. Hold for five seconds.
• Stand back up and place your hands in the small of your back.
• Bend backwards, letting your hips slide slightly forward. Look toward the ceiling. Hold for three seconds.
• Repeat the whole sequence two more times.
Tip: Inhale, then exhale as you bend forward. Inhale as you stand back up, and exhale again as you bend backwards. This exercise can be done while seated at the edge of a chair, clasping your arms under your knees as you bend forward and lifting your chest up and out as you bend backwards.
Twist and reach
• Get on your hands and knees.
• Inhale, then exhale, while lowering your hips until they rest on your heels and reaching both arms out in front of the body resting the hands and head on the floor. Hold for five seconds, breathing naturally.
• Inhale and move the right arm under the body, reaching it to the left.
• Exhale and drop your right shoulder toward the ground while looking over your left shoulder. Hold for five seconds, breathing naturally.
• Repeat, reaching the left arm under the body and dropping the left shoulder.
• Return to the starting position and repeat two more times.
Page 2 of 3
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