Lying Hip Stretch

The lying hip stretch is a great stretch after your cardio workout. You’ll stretch your hips, glutes and thighs all in one move. Begin by lying on your back on the floor. Cross your right ankle over your left knee. Hold your left thigh, and pull both legs up toward your chest. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Next cross your left ankle over your right knee. Hold your right thigh and pull both legs up into toward your chest. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Be sure to keep your shoulders down on the floor and your neck relaxed.

*Consult your physician before performing stretch.

Lying Hip Stretch

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Lying Hamstring Stretch

Sitting most of the day? Do this hamstring stretch to ease lower body and lower back tension. Lie down on the floor on your back. Extend your right leg straight up with your heel toward the ceiling. Place a strap or belt securely under the arch of your shoes to assist your stretch. Keep your shoulders and hips on the floor. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Next, extend your left leg straight up toward the ceiling. Place the strap or belt securely under your arch. Hold for 10 seconds, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing stretch.

Undo sitting with this hamstring stretch

Seated Hamstring and Low Back Stretch

Ease muscle tension at the end of the day with this full body stretch. Begin seated on the floor with both legs out straight in front of you. Cross your right ankle over your left ankle and walk your hands forward, tuck your chin to your chest and bend forward from your low back. Hold for 2 to 3 deep breaths, then release. Next, cross your left ankle over your right ankle, walk your hands forward and ease into the stretch. Hold for 2 to 3 deep breaths, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Stretch for Relaxation

Total Body Stretch

Stretch your body into relaxation at the end of the day. Here’s how:

Begin seated with both legs out straight in front of you. Cross your right ankle over your left. Gently walk your hands forward bending your chest toward your knees. Hold for 10-20 seconds or 2 deep breaths, then release. Next, cross your left ankle over your right. Walk your hands forward, and hold for 10-20 seconds or 2 deep breaths, and then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

End-of-Day Total Body Stretch

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Standing Side Stretch

Do this full body stretch daily to release muscle tension. Begin standing. Reach your right arm straight up overhead, gently lean to your left. Hold for 10-30 seconds or 3 full breaths, then release.  Next, reach your left arm straight up overhead, lean to your right. Hold for 10-30 seconds or 3 full breaths, then release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Standing Side Stretch

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Shoulder Stretch!

Stretch your shoulders to alleviate upper body muscle tension. Extend your right arm straight up overhead, and then bend your elbow and place your hand behind your head. Next, reach your left hand down and around your body to your low back. Walk both hands toward the center of your back. Keep your torso upright and your shoulders down and back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch with your left arm overhead, and your right arm by your low back. Hold for 10-30 seconds, then release. Never stretch into pain.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

All-in-One Shoulder Stretch

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Seated Hamstring and Back Stretch

Do this full body stretch for relaxation at the end of every day. You’ll decrease muscle tension to breathe and move easier. Here’s how

Sit down with your right leg straight out to the side of you. Bend your left knee and tuck your left foot to the inside of your right knee. Next, lift your left arm straight up and bend your torso over your right leg. Hold for one inhale and one exhale, then release. Repeat with your left leg straight out, reach up with your right arm and bend over your left leg. Inhale and exhale. Release.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Full Body Stretch in One!

Chest and Front Shoulder Stretch!

If you sit at a computer most of the day, or are hunched over a desk for hours on end, do this stretch a few times every day:

Inhale and lace your fingers behind your head. Exhale, pull your shoulders down and back, and elbows wide. Hold for a count of 10, then release.

Not only does this stretch ease tension in your neck due to pulling your shoulders back correcting posture, but you’ll also decrease low back tension due to sitting up straight with your spine aligned and upright.

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Sit a desk all day? This stretch is for YOU!

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Stretch your Chest and Front Shoulder!

Stand up. Place your right hand on the wall or door frame slightly lower than shoulder level. Keep your elbow straight, and gently turn your body away from your hand. Pull your right shoulder down and back feeling a stretch across your chest and front shoulder. Hold for 10 seconds, then release. Repeat the stretch placing your left hand on the wall or door frame.

Stretching your chest and front shoulder allows for proper posture. This means you stand up straight, longer! Proper posture reduces muscle tension and stress that comes from slouching. Taking regular stand up stretching breaks during your day reminds your body of neutral or a properly aligned body position. You’ll have more energy and feel better!

*Consult your physician before performing exercise.

Stand Up Straight with this Stretch!

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Stretch!

If you’re on your feet all day, try this simple Calf Stretch to ease sore feet.

Use a step or a curb, or on any stable platform that is about two inches off the floor. Place your right foot flat on the step, hold on for balance. Place the ball of your left foot on the step with your heel hanging off. Slowly drop your left heel, feeling a gentle stretch in the left calf.  Hold for ten to thirty seconds. Release the stretch. Repeat with your left foot flat on the step and your right heel hanging off.

*Always consult your physician before beginning exercise.

Sore Feet?