Stretch It Out

By Priscilla Regli, Pilates coach

Maintaining your flexibility is as important to your overall health as physical activity. These three stretching exercises will help keep you limber.

The Cat

1. Assume a “cat” position on the floor, with your weight evenly distributed on your knees and your palms, and look straight ahead. Hold the pose for five seconds.
2. Keeping your weight on your knees and palms, round your back and look inward towards your body. Hold the pose for five seconds. Return to the starting position.
3. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

The Cobra

1. Lie on your stomach on the floor. Lift your trunk by pushing up with your hands and look at the ceiling. Hold the pose for five seconds.
2. Ease back onto your feet, gently bending your knees and extending your arms at the same time, keeping your hands pressed to the floor. Hold the pose for five seconds. Return to the starting position.
3. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

The Standing Stretch

1. Standing with your legs together, bring your palms together in front of your chest.
2. Raise your hands above your head, gently arching your back and looking at your hands. Hold the pose for five seconds. Return to the starting position.
3. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

Pro Tip

Breathe deeply while doing these stretches to ease any tension and to get the greatest benefit. Do them two to four times a week.