Reaching Open

Open and strong posture can be a key piece to feeling positive about the day ahead.  First thing or throughout the day try these simple stretches to begin and refresh the approach to what lies ahead.

1. Use a Yoga Strap, belt or piece of clothing: hold this taut between each hand behind your hips.  Inhale your chest lifted and exhale your shoulder blades down, inhale your hands away from your body behind you, exhale your belly button toward your spine.  Hold this chest opening for a few breaths or let it rise and fall with 4-5 breaths.
2. Hold this strap overhead taut, hands about shoulder width apart.  Draw your upper arms away from your peripheral vision as your shoulder blades reach toward your spine and exhale down toward your sacrum.
3. Find a tall stance with grounded, broad feet.  Soften your knees and swing your arms from one side to the other.  With each swing, bend your knees and find a rhythm with your breath.  20 breaths.  Stand still, grounded and tall – shake your hands, arms and shoulders as if to ‘shake off’ any extra heavy energy from the following day or hour.

Lengthen your collar bones, lead with your sternum, take a deep belly breath and GO!