Stretch School

Sitting, sitting, sitting. (Of course, you’re working hard, focusing.) Less than fabulous posture, possibly a bit of a slump in those shoulders and ribcage. Yikes. Your low back is working harder than you. (Yes, it’s true.) Give your low back a “vitamin stretch” to ward off the bad juju: Slow and steady wins this one. [...]

All that walking, up hills, stairs, and running for busses can make your shins (the front of your lower leg) sore and tired. This simple stretch will help stretch this muscle group and keep them happy. This is best without shoes, but can be done if removing your shoes is not an option. You’ll also [...]

Sometimes, all it takes is one email or phone call to put your shoulders on the ceiling and give you a special kind of headache. Let’s see if we can take a moment to reverse the damage. Sit up straight and tall in your chair with your arms resting at your sides and press your [...]

If your chair is tall, you may want to do this standing against the wall, keep your abdominals engaged from the start. Take both arms out in front of you and lightly weave your fingers together. Turn your palms away from you, take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, gently pull your arms [...]

You need this: Sit on the edge of your chair. Close your fists lightly and place your hands next to your thighs, knuckles down. Inhale deeply, and as you lock your elbows, exhale and press into your hands (you can also use your palms, but it depends on your arm length.) Pull and keep your [...]

Loosen up those tight and tired muscles in your core, and breathe a little easier. Here we go: Sit up straight and tall with your shoulders relaxed as far down as you can manage. Without elevating your shoulders, lift your ribcage up away from your pelvis as you inhale. As you exhale, engage your abdominals [...]

Most of us don’t realize just how tense and elevated our poor shoulders are. You get involved in what your doing at the moment and all good intentions of sitting up tall and getting those shoulders down vaporize like a well intentioned new year’s resolution. Let’s do something to help you get your shoulders moving [...]

Sitting, sitting, working hard. Who would notice those hamstrings and hips getting tight? Let’s take care of that right now: Remind yourself while you do this stretch to keep your abdominals engaged and stable, not moving your low back. Keep your chest lifted for the most successful stretch. Sit up straight and tall, both feet [...]

Let’s take care of that unfriendly combination right now: First, sit up straight and tall, relax your arms long at your side. Take a deep breath in, filling your abdomen entirely, and then slowly let it out. Inhale again, big is fine, and as you do, squeeze your shoulders as high up as you can, [...]

Long hours on the keyboard? Clenching your fists when you concentrate? You’ll be surprised how good your hands will feel when your done with today’s stretch: Sit up straight and tall and relax your shoulders down. Bring your hands in front of you palms up or down, and begin by gently and completely opening your [...]