Although I teach yoga and probably should be all about perfect posture and alignment, the reality is that I'm just human and sometimes lounging on the couch with your butt sinking between the cushions, your neck crunched and your legs crossed just feels better than sitting stiffly upright (see below).
This is comfortable for about 2.5 minutes.
Wearing PINK boyfriend sweats, tank.
However, that's comfortable for about two point five minutes and then it's time for a good stretch. These are the top three poses I do whenever I'm feeling creaky.
The first, trikonasana, will lengthen the side body. You can also use a yoga block if the flexibility isn't quite there enough to get the hand down. As you're in it, breathe in between the ribs and you'll feel them open up a bit. So good!
Next up is revolved triangle, a pose I used to loathe for the discomfort I'd feel in the hamstrings while doing it. Now that my hamstrings aren't as tight as they used to be, I love this pose for the good stretch I feel in the backs of the legs and the little twist it offers up.
Crescent lunge is a pose I love for its total body benefits. It lengthens the back leg muscles, and opens up the upper body with the twist. Clearly a fave.
What are your go-to stretches when you've been cramped between the couch cushions for too long?!