Run through this lengthening flow whenever you crave extra height and a lighter posture.
Upward Salute
Duration: 00:30
Sweep your arms skyward in upward salute to lengthen your spine and awaken your upper body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides.
- Sweep your arms out and up overhead, keeping hands shoulder-width apart.
- Reach toward the ceiling while relaxing your shoulders and gazing slightly upward.
Tips
- Ground evenly through both feet.
- Engage your core to avoid arching your lower back.
Adjustments
- Place your hands behind your head or on your hips if raising them overhead feels intense.
Toe Touch
Duration: 00:30
Fold forward from standing to stretch your hamstrings and lower back with a calming release.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms relaxed by your sides.
- Hinge at your hips to fold forward, lowering your torso toward your legs.
- Relax your head, neck, and arms, aiming to place your palms on the floor.
Tips
- Lengthen through your spine as you fold.
- Keep legs straight but avoid locking your knees.
Adjustments
- Rest your hands on shins or thighs if the floor feels out of reach.
Chest Opener
Duration: 00:30
Open your heart space and stretch the front body with a simple yet powerful chest opener.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall with feet hip-width apart.
- Clasp your hands behind your head and widen your elbows out to the sides.
- Gently squeeze shoulder blades together and lift your chest as you breathe in.
Tips
- Keep shoulders soft and away from your ears.
- Maintain a long spine rather than arching through the lower back.
Adjustments
- Hold a strap or towel behind your head if your hands do not quite meet comfortably.
Wide Leg Bend
Duration: 00:30
Fold forward with legs wide to stretch your hamstrings, hips, and lower back.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet wide and toes pointing forward.
- Hinge at your hips to fold forward, lowering your torso toward your legs.
- Relax your head, neck, and arms, aiming to place your palms on the floor.
Tips
- Lengthen through your spine as you fold.
- Keep legs straight but avoid locking your knees.
- Hold ankles and draw your head closer if you want more stretch.
Adjustments
- Rest hands on shins or blocks if the floor feels far away.
Lunge
Duration: 01:00
Sink into a kneeling lunge to stretch your hip flexors and lengthen the front of your body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start kneeling and step one foot forward, planting it flat in front of you.
- Press your hips forward as you raise both arms overhead.
- Lift through your chest and reach toward the ceiling while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep the front knee stacked over the ankle for stability.
- Press the top of your back foot into the floor to engage the rear leg.
- Stay tall through your torso to avoid dumping into the lower back.
Adjustments
- Rest your hands on your front thigh if reaching overhead feels intense.
- Place a towel or cushion under your back knee for comfort.
- Hold onto a wall or chair for balance when needed.
Upward Dog
Duration: 00:30
Press into upward dog to open your chest and stretch the front of your body with strength.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your stomach with legs extended and hands under your shoulders.
- Press into your palms, straighten your arms, and lift your chest and thighs off the floor.
- Relax your shoulders away from your ears and gaze slightly upward.
Tips
- Only your palms and the tops of your feet should touch the floor.
- Keep arms straight without locking your elbows.
Adjustments
- Keep thighs on the floor for a gentler version if needed.
Downward Dog
Duration: 00:30
Press back into downward dog to lengthen your spine, open the shoulders, and stretch the entire backside.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start in tabletop, tuck your toes, and press through your hands to lift hips up and back.
- Straighten your legs as much as feels good while keeping a soft bend in the knees.
- Reach your chest toward your thighs and lengthen through your spine as your heels reach toward the floor.
Tips
- Let your head hang between your arms so your neck relaxes.
- Spread weight evenly between hands and feet.
- Keep knees slightly bent if hamstrings feel tight.
Adjustments
- Bend the knees more deeply or elevate hands on a chair for a lighter option.
- Come onto your forearms or place a block under your hands if wrists need relief.
Child's Pose
Duration: 00:30
Melt into child's pose to reset your breath and relax the back with a calming stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start on hands and knees, then widen your knees while keeping big toes touching.
- Sit your hips back toward your heels and reach your hands forward.
- Lower your chest between your thighs and rest your forehead on the floor or a support.
Tips
- Crawl your fingertips forward to deepen the stretch through the sides of your body.
- Let your chest sink toward the ground with each exhale.
Adjustments
- Keep knees closer together if that feels better for your hips.
- Rest your forehead on a block, pillow, or folded blanket if it does not reach the floor.
Knees-to-Chest
Duration: 00:30
Hug your knees to your chest to release the lower back and gently stretch the hips.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend both knees and draw them toward your chest.
- Wrap your arms around your shins and hug the knees in, breathing deeply.
Tips
- Let your head and neck relax on the floor.
- Keep your lower back gently pressing into the mat.
Adjustments
- Hold behind your thighs instead of the shins if that feels better for your body.
Seated Fold
Duration: 00:30
Reach forward from a tall seat to stretch your hamstrings and back with a calming fold.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit with legs extended and reach your arms overhead to lengthen your spine.
- Hinge at the hips and fold forward, reaching for your toes, shins, or ankles.
- Hold the stretch while breathing slowly, keeping your spine long.
Tips
- Focus on hinging from the hips instead of rounding your back.
Adjustments
- Use a strap around your feet or keep hands on your shins if your toes feel far away.
- Keep a slight bend in the knees if your hamstrings are tight.
Plow
Duration: 00:30
Roll into plow pose to stretch your spine and hamstrings while giving your nervous system a calming reset.
Difficulty: Advanced
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Engage your core to lift your legs overhead, supporting your lower back with your hands.
- Lower your feet toward the floor behind your head and, if they touch, extend your arms along the mat with palms down.
Tips
- Keep legs straight and toes reaching toward the floor.
- Relax your neck and avoid turning your head while in the pose.
Adjustments
- Hold your hips with your hands if your feet do not reach the floor.
- Bend your knees slightly if straight legs feel too intense.
Stand up, stack your head over your shoulders, and enjoy the extra lift.
