How to Do Hand Yoga Exercises

Strengthening the joints in your hands now can help you avoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome in the future. Try these hand yoga exercises, which not only strengthen the joints in the hands but also help you develop a firmer grip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a couple of minutes. Then slowly extend one of your arms straight in front of you; be careful not to hyperextend the elbow.
2. On an exhale, close your hand into a fist, clenching firmly, but gently. Make sure your thumb is rested inside your hand, rather than outside on top of your fingers.
3. On your next inhale, release your clenched fist. Extend and stretch all of your fingers straight out in front of you.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 up to 10 times, or whatever is comfortable for you.
5. Slowly lower your arm and breathe deeply for a couple of minutes. Then slowly extend your other arm straight in front of you, and repeat Steps 2 through 4.

Tips & Warnings

• • When breathing during yoga practice, always breathe through your nose. It not only warms the air to body temperature, but also promotes slower, deeper breathing.