Yoga Stretching Exercises

Yoga stretching exercises are a terrific way to start your day! Best performed in the morning, they are gentle, low impact stretches that will warm up your muscles, deepen your breathing and loosen any tense areas in your body. Not only are these stretches good for your body (they keep your muscles from shortening), but they also relax you and help you focus your mind on the day ahead. Yoga stretching exercises are easy for anyone to do, because you can tailor them to be more difficult, or alternately, on the easier side to meet your own body's needs.

Things You'll Need

• Yoga mat or blanket Loose clothing

Instructions

1. Start with the basics: cross-legged breathing. This is actually a very important yoga stretching exercise because it opens up your spine and torso. Sit on the edge of a mat or folded blanket. Cross your legs in front of you. Sit up straight and put your shoulders back. Inhale deeply as you expand your lungs. Do this deep breathing in sets of five, then breathe normally. Continue until you are fully relaxed yet energized.

2. Move to a standing position, making sure your back is still straight. Beginning with your hands at your sides, palms facing outward, bring them slowly up to above your head as you inhale deeply. Your index fingers should touch above your head, then bring them back down as you exhale. Do this three times.

3. Spread you legs apart, with your arms again at your sides, but this time with your palms facing your back. Breath in and reach your arms up and over your head, as if you were going to do a back bend. Your palms will end up facing the ceiling. Then, exhale and bring your arms down, bending at the waist. Reach as far down your legs as you can. Grab your legs and count to ten, then slowly stand up, inhaling as you stand. Do this three times.

4. Sit back down on floor, on your mat or blanket. Stretch your left leg straight out and bend your right leg so that your right foot is against your left thigh. Try to put your right knee as close to the floor as possible. Put both arms on your left leg and raise them up towards your back, inhaling, as if you are reaching for something behind you. Lower your arms, exhaling, and reach down as far as you can along your left leg. Inhale again and hold for ten seconds. Exhale and return to starting position. Switch legs and repeat.

5. Lie down all the way on the floor, flat on your back with your arms over your head. Reach up towards the wall with your arms, and at the same time, reach with your feet. Reach to a count of 10 while exhaling, then relax and inhale.

Tips & Warnings

• Go slowly if you are a beginner, until you build up flexibility.