Lower Back 3

Instructions

• Start from a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides.
• Slowly sweep your arms out and up over your head.
• Keep your hands shoulder-width apart and reach toward the ceiling.
• Relax your shoulders and look slightly upward.

Tips

• Ground your feet firmly into the floor and distribute your weight evenly between your feet.
• Engage your core muscles to avoid arching your lower back.

Modifications

• For less intensity, place your hands behind your head or on your hips.

Benefits

Abdomen, Chest, Lats, Obliques, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Instructions

• Start from a standing position with your feet hip-width apart and your arms at your sides.
• Keeping your back straight, hinge at your hips to bend forward, lowering your upper body toward your legs.
• Relax your head, neck, and arms and try to place your palms on the floor.

Tips

• Focus on lengthening your spine as you fold forward.
• Keep your legs straight but not locked.

Modifications

• If you can't reach the floor, place your hands on your shins or thighs.

Benefits

Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back

Instructions

• Start from a kneeling position with your knees hip-width apart and your arms at your sides.
• Step forward with one leg to place your foot on the floor in front of you, forming a 90-degree angle with both knees.
• Raise your opposite arm above your head and place your other hand on your hip.
• Press your hips forward while reaching up and over with your raised arm.

Tips

• Align your front knee directly above your ankle.

Modifications

• If you have knee pain, place a cushion under your back knee for support.

Benefits

Hips, IT Band, Lats, Lower Back, Obliques, Psoas, Quadriceps

Instructions

• Start from a standing position with your feet wide and your toes pointed forward.
• Keeping your back straight, hinge at your hips to bend forward, lowering your upper body toward your legs.
• Relax your head, neck, and arms and try to place your palms on the floor.

Tips

• Focus on lengthening your spine as you fold forward.
• Keep your legs straight but not locked.
• To deepen the stretch, grab your ankles and pull your head closer to the floor.

Modifications

• If you can't reach the floor, place your hands on your shins or blocks.

Benefits

Calves, Groin, Hamstrings, Hips, Lower Back

Instructions

• Start from a kneeling position with your arms at your sides.
• Step forward with one leg, placing your foot flat on the floor in front of you.
• Push your hips forward and raise your arms overhead.
• Lift your chest and reach toward the ceiling.

Tips

• Keep your front knee stable and align it directly above your ankle.
• Engage your back leg, pressing the top of your foot into the floor.
• Keep your torso upright and avoid arching your lower back.

Modifications

• For less intensity, keep your hands on your front thigh.
• Place a towel or cushion under your back knee for support.
• Hold onto a wall or chair for balance if needed.

Benefits

Abdomen, Hips, Lower Back, Psoas, Quadriceps

Instructions

• Start from a kneeling position with your knees hip-width apart and the tops of your feet on the floor.
• Extend one leg straight out in front of you, pressing your heel into the floor.
• Hinge at your hips to lower your upper body toward the floor.
• Place your hands on the floor in front of you for balance.

Tips

• Keep your chest lifted and your back straight.

Modifications

• Place a folded blanket under your knee for additional support.

Benefits

Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Hips, Lower Back

Instructions

• Start from a kneeling position with your knees hip-width apart and the tops of your feet on the floor.
• Step one foot forward and bring your opposite foot up towards your glutes.
• Please one hand on your front knee and reach back with your other hand to grab your ankle.
• Gently push your hips forward and pull your heel closer to your glutes.

Tips

• Maintain an upright posture, avoiding leaning forward or backward.

Modifications

• If reaching your back foot is difficult, keep your foot on the floor.

Benefits

Abdomen, Hips, Psoas, Quadriceps

Instructions

• Start on your hands and knees in the tabletop position.
• Align your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips.
• Inhale, dropping your belly towards the floor and arching your back, and lifting your chin and chest to look up toward the ceiling.
• Exhale, drawing your belly up toward your spine and rounding your back, and tucking your chin to your chest.

Tips

• Move slowly between the poses, coordinating each movement with your breath.

Modifications

• If you have neck issues, keep your head in a neutral position rather than lifting and tucking your chin.

Benefits

Abdomen, Lower Back, Neck, Spine, Upper Back

Instructions

• Start lying on your stomach with your legs extended and your hands under your shoulders.
• Press your palms into the floor, straightening your arms to lift your upper body and legs off the floor.
• Lift your chest, relax your shoulders, and look slightly upward.

Tips

• Only the tops of your feet and your palms should be touching the floor.
• Keep your arms straight but avoid locking your elbows.

Modifications

• For less intensity, keep your thighs on the floor.

Benefits

Abdomen, Chest, Psoas, Spine

Instructions

• Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.
• Widen your knees and bring your big toes together so they're touching.
• Sit back on your heels, then reach forward with your hands and lower your chest toward the floor.
• Relax your hips and rest your forehead on the floor.

Tips

• Walk your fingertips forward to increase the stretch.
• Allow your chest to sink towards the floor.

Modifications

• For less intensity, don't spread your knees as wide.
• If your forehead doesn't reach the floor, rest it on a block or folded blanket.

Benefits

Ankles, Feet, Hips, Lower Back, Shins, Shoulders

Instructions

• Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.
• Tuck your toes under, press your palms into the floor, and straighten your arms and legs to lift your hips up and back.
• Push your chest toward your thighs and your heels toward the floor.

Tips

• Relax your shoulders and let your head hang between your arms.
• Distribute your weight evenly between your hands and feet.
• Keep a slight bend in your knees to avoid hyperextension

Modifications

• For less intensity, bend your knees more or place your hands on the edge of a chair.
• To reduce pressure on your wrists, place your forearms on the floor or use a block under your hands.

Benefits

Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Shoulders

Instructions

• Start on your hands and knees in a tabletop position.
• Bring one knee forward and place it behind your wrist on the same side, then slide your ankle towards your opposite hip.
• Extend your other leg straight back behind you while keeping your hips square to the floor.
• Gently lower your torso over your front leg and rest your forearms on the ground in front of you.

Tips

• Keep your hips level and avoid leaning to one side.

Modifications

• Place a folded blanket or block under the hip of the bent leg for support.
• If folding forward is uncomfortable, stay upright and support yourself with your hands on the floor.

Benefits

Glutes, Groin, Hamstrings, Hips, IT Band, Lower Back, Psoas

Instructions

• Start on the floor in a seated position with your legs extended in front of you.
• Bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together, letting your knees fall out to the sides.
• Place your hands on the floor in front of you and hinge at your hips, folding forward over your feet.

Tips

• Allow your head to relax towards your feet.

Modifications

• If your hips are tight, sit on a folded blanket to elevate your hips.
• For a gentler stretch, keep your torso more upright.

Benefits

Groin, Hips, Knees, Lower Back

Instructions

• Start on the floor in a seated position with your legs extended in front of you.
• Cross one leg over the other, placing your foot on the floor outside of your opposite thigh.
• Rotate your torso and place your elbow on the outside of your top knee and your other hand behind you for support.
• Continue to rotate your torso and turn your head to look behind you.

Tips

• Lengthen your spine and keep your back straight.

Benefits

Chest, Glutes, Hips, IT Band, Lower Back, Obliques, Spine, Upper Back

Instructions

• Start on the floor in a seated position with your legs extended in front of you.
• Extend your arms overhead to lengthen your spine.
• Hinge at your hips and reach forward to grab your toes.

Tips

• Keep your back flat and avoid rounding your spine.

Modifications

• If reaching your toes is difficult, place your hands on your shins or use a strap around your feet.
• Keep a slight bend in your knees if you have tight hamstrings.

Benefits

Calves, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back

Instructions

• Start on the floor in a seated position with your legs extended in front of you.
• Bend one knee and bring your heel back towards your glutes.
• Grab your ankle with your hand and gently pull your foot back so it's directly beneath your glute.
• Slowly lean back to rest on your elbows.

Tips

• Keep your hips, knees, and ankles aligned.
• Make sure your foot stays underneath your glute and isn't out to the side.

Modifications

• If reaching your ankle is difficult, use a strap or towel looped around your foot for assistance.
• If you experience discomfort in your knee, try performing the exercise while lying on your side.

Benefits

Ankles, Hips, Knees, Lower Back, Quadriceps, Shins

Instructions

• Start lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
• Cross one ankle over the opposite thigh, just above the knee.
• Lift your bottom leg off the floor, bringing your knee towards your chest.
• Reach forward and clasp your hands behind the thigh of your bottom leg.
• Gently pull your leg towards your chest.

Tips

• Keep your head and shoulders relaxed on the floor.
• Keep your lower back pressed into the floor.

Modifications

• If reaching behind your thigh is difficult, use a strap or towel to assist.
• For a gentler stretch, keep your bottom foot on the floor.

Benefits

Glutes, Hips, IT Band, Lower Back

Instructions

• Start lying on your back with your legs extended and your arms at your sides.
• Bend one knee and place your foot flat on the floor.
• Gently lower your bent knee across your body towards the opposite side, allowing your torso and hips to twist.
• Place your opposite hand on the outside of your bent knee and extend your other arm out to the side.

Tips

• Keep your shoulders flat on the floor.

Modifications

• If the twist is too intense, place a cushion or block under your bent knee for support.

Benefits

Chest, Glutes, IT Band, Lower Back, Obliques, Spine, Upper Back

Instructions

• Start lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
• Engage your core to tilt your pelvis up and press your lower back into the floor.
• Keep your arms at your sides with your palms on the floor and hold the position.

Tips

• Imagine drawing your navel down towards your spine.
• Keep your glutes relaxed; the movement should come from your core.

Modifications

• If it's uncomfortable to lie on the floor, perform the exercise against a wall.

Benefits

Lower Back

Instructions

• Start lying on your back with your legs extended and your arms at your sides.
• Bend one knee and draw it towards your chest, holding your shin with both hands.
• Gently pull your knee closer to your chest while keeping your other leg straight.

Tips

• Relax your head and neck on the floor.
• Keep your hips square and your lower back pressed into the floor.

Modifications

• If you can't reach your shin, pull on your thigh or use a towel around your knee.

Benefits

Glutes, Hamstrings, Hips, Lower Back

Instructions

• Start lying on your back with your legs extended and your arms at your sides.
• Engage your core and lift your legs towards the ceiling, bringing them over your head.
• Slowly lower your legs towards the floor behind your head, keeping your hands on your lower back for support.
• If your feet reach the floor, extend your arms along the floor with your palms facing down.

Tips

• Keep your legs straight and your toes pointing towards the floor.
• Keep your neck relaxed and avoid turning your head.

Modifications

• If your feet do not reach the floor, keep your hands on your lower back for support and hold your legs in a comfortable position.
• Bend your knees slightly if straightening your legs is uncomfortable.

Benefits

Calves, Glutes, Hamstrings, Lower Back, Neck, Shoulders, Spine, Upper Back