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No morning is complete without a few stretches. I don't ever feel particularly tight or stiff when I first wake up, but it always feels so good to stretch in the morning. This sequence was designed with the upper body in mind. Be sure to breathe three to five breaths in each pose so that you get the most out of each stretch. I can't stress the importance of the breath enough. The breath, my friends, is perhaps the most vital part of a static stretch, and it's going to be the one thing that truly helps as you develop your flexibility. So breathe even though you feel tight and even though it might be a little uncomfortable. The full breaths will help to open up those tight areas in your body. Hope you enjoy!
1. & 2. Side Body Stretch - Be sure to keep both hips on the bed (don't let one hip lift). As you breathe, visualize the breath creating space between your ribs.
3. Seated Twist - Place one hand on your opposite knee, and the other hand behind you. Take a deep breath in, and twist as you exhale, initiating the twist from your belly. As you breathe, see if you can keep wringing out your torso with each exhale. Once you're finished, do it again on the other side.
4. & 5. Tricep Stretch - While this is a tricep stretch, this is also helpful for the side body, armpit and shoulder area. So as you inhale, imagine that you're growing taller through your spine, and as you exhale, slowly draw your elbow straighter up towards the sky.
6. Chest Stretch - Gently interlace your fingers behind your back and press your palms together. The pressing of the palms together is really important because it helps keep the pose an active stretch, rather than a passive stretch. If pressing your palms together is super uncomfortable, just grab opposite forearms or elbows instead. Puff your chest out and ever so slightly arch your back. You have the option to gently move your arms up and down to create more openness through your chest.
7. Upper Back Stretch - Interlace your fingers out in front of you and press your palms together. Round your back deeply, and lower your chin to your chest. As you breathe, visualize space being created between your shoulder blades. You also have the option of gently lifting and lowering your arms to create more space through your upper back.
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