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Exercise

A Stretch to Keep Your Hips Flexible

The more active we are, the tighter our hips tend to be. Perform this stretch on a regular basis and you’ll keep those strong gluteal muscles flexible.

1. Sit in a cross-legged position on the floor. Inhale and sit up tall. Hold your right ankle in the palms of both hands above your left knee. Relax the right buttock muscle and allow your right thigh and knee to drop toward the ground. Hold for 3 to 6 breaths.

2. Move into a deeper stretch by grasping your hands together under your right leg and cradling your ankle and knee in your arms. Be sure that you sit up tall. Do not round or hunch your back. Concentrate on relaxing the right buttock muscle as your bring your leg closer to your chest. Hold this position and breathe for 20 to 30 seconds. Lower your leg and repeat on the other side.

Source: Los Angeles Times

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Categories
Exercise

Inversion Exercise

Step-1
Step1

Kneel with your forearms and palms on the floor, shoulder‘s width apart. Spread your fingers. Straighten your legs and walk in until your heels are on the floor and your knees are straight.

Step 2:

Keep your head and shoulders lifted away from the floor. Slowly shift more weight to your right leg and begin to raise your left leg. Focus on keeping your hips and shoulders facing the floor. Pause for three breaths. Lower your leg and repeat on the other side.

Do three sets of the above exercise and take little rest.

Inversions take weight away from the legs and improve circulation. If done on a regular basis, they will enhance your concentration skills by bringing more blood flow to the brain. Use this simple inversion move to become familiar with the correct positioning.

Sources: Los Angeles Times

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Categories
Yoga

Side-Angle Yoga Postures

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Step 1:->

Stand with your legs 4 to 5 feet apart. Turn your left foot out to the side and your right foot in slightly. Anchor each foot firmly to the ground. Keep your right leg straight and bend your left knee, lunging down until your hips are at knee level. Reach your right arm above shoulder level and reach your left arm to the floor in front of your left foot. Scoop your tailbone under your body and rotate your legs outward. Pull in your abs. Hold this position for three to four breaths, looking forward or up to the ceiling.

Step->2

Once your hips have loosened up and you are comfortable with the basic position, try this more challenging variation. Expand and rotate your chest up toward the ceiling as you lower your right arm behind your hips. Reach around with your right hand and try to grasp your left thigh. Without losing the rotation in your upper spine, raise your left arm off the floor, reaching out with your fingertips. Turn your gaze to the ceiling or look forward if doing so feels more comfortable for your neck. Hold this position for three to four breaths, then repeat on the other side.

Practice three sets and take little rest.

This postures boost strength and stability
Much of yoga is about practicing proper alignment and focus, so be precise when performing yoga postures. You should strive to feel centered while developing strength and stability in each pose. Here are two variations of a simple yoga move called the side angle. Stick with the first variation until you feel comfortable, then progress to the second.

Sources :Los Angles Times

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