Stretching is as essential to muscle and bone health as knotless braids to women and beard oil to men. These movements improve posture and range of motion and minimize injury. Coming up, we share 3 yoga poses demonstrated by the Yogabae™, an Atlanta native and certified Hot Hatha yoga instructor. These poses focus on waking up the mind and the body, shifting energies within the body, and releasing tension in the body. Implement these 3 poses into your daily routine at any point during your day, especially in the morning, for the best results.
“Move the body to move the mind.”
The Yogabae™
Pose One: Crescent Moon
“It’s really about how tall you can get, so we can try to decompress the vertebrates in the spine. Happy spine, happy life.” —The Yogabae™
To do: Stand with your feet together. Inhale your hands overhead. Clasp your palms together. Interlace your fingers, except for your pointer fingers. Exhale your arms to the sidewall. Keep your biceps stacked over your ears. Hold for 15-20 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
Benefits: Improves circulation. Deeply stretches and opens the side body. Strengthens knees and ankles.
Pose Two: Back Bend
“When you’ve got any kind of hip pain or lower back pain, back bending is your best friend.” —The Yogabae™
To do: Stand with your feet together. Inhale your hands overhead. Clasp your palms together. Interlace your fingers, except for your pointer fingers. Exhale your arms to the back wall. Hold for 15-20 seconds.
Benefits: Lowers stress and anxiety. Improves spine flexibility and mobility. Stretches abdominal muscles.
Pose Three: Hands-to-Feet
“It’s a wonderful way to get blood to the brain. To get oxygen to the brain. And it’s so safe. You’ve got gravity on your side, helping decompress the neck.” —The Yogabae™
To do: Stand with your feet together. Slightly bend your knees. Bend forward. Place your palms underneath the heels of your feet. Slowly straighten your legs until you feel a stretch. Hold for 15-20 seconds.
Benefits: Stretches and strengthens the back-leg muscles. Alleviates constipation and indigestion.
“By affecting your physical body,
The Yogabae™
you can affect your mental body.”
Consult a doctor before trying these movements.
