The February Five
Looking for some new moves? Strengthen and stretch your back, legs and core with these exercises. Try one minute of each of these every day this week.
1) Squat:
- Stand in front of a chair.
- Slowly bend your knees and sit back to lightly touch your hips the the chair.
- Press into your heels to stand back up.
- Strengthens back, legs, hips and core.
2) Teaser:
- Start on your back with legs in tabletop (or feet on floor).
- Inhale as you reach arms back by your ears.
- Exhale as you circle arms down by your hips and roll up to seated.
- Core strength, shoulder stabilization, spine flexion.
3) Saw:
- Sit up tall with legs extended in front of you (sit on a block if needed).
- Inhale and twist to the right, exhale and reach your left hand to the outside of your right foot.
- Come back to center, then switch sides.
- Spine flexion and rotation, shoulder stretch.
4) Cobra:
- Lie on your tummy with your hands by your shoulders.
- Lift your belly button and reach out through the top of your head.
- Inhale and roll your shoulders down and back as you lift head and chest up.
- Exhale as you slowly lower back down.
- Strengthens back extensors, chest stretch.
5) Bridge:
- Lie on your back and place your heels on the floor close to your hips.
- Exhale and slowly peel your pelvis up off the ground.
- Inhale at the top of your bridge. Exhale to slowly come back down.
- Back strength and flexibility.