Rotate through this refresh anytime your shoulders or low back start to complain.
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.
One Arm Hug
Duration: 00:30
Cross one arm over your chest for a sweet stretch through the shoulder and lats.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand tall and reach one arm straight across your body toward the opposite shoulder.
- Use the other arm to hook the elbow or forearm and pull it closer to your chest.
- Hold for a few breaths, then switch sides.
Tips
- Keep your torso upright instead of leaning.
- Relax the extended arm so the shoulder can stretch.
Adjustments
- Lower the extended arm toward your abdomen for a lighter stretch if needed.
Overhead Tricep
Duration: 00:30
Lift and bend your arm overhead to stretch your triceps and open your side body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand or sit tall and raise one arm overhead.
- Bend the elbow, bringing your hand toward the opposite shoulder blade.
- Use the other hand to gently guide the elbow toward the midline of your back while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep your torso upright and core engaged so your lower back stays supported.
- Relax the lifted shoulder away from your ear.
Adjustments
- Hold a strap between your hands if reaching the elbow feels challenging.
Wall Dog
Duration: 00:30
Use a wall to mimic downward dog and stretch your shoulders, hamstrings, and spine.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand facing a wall about an arm's length away and place your hands on it at shoulder height.
- Step your feet back and keep arms and legs straight as you lower your torso toward the floor.
- Let your head hang between your arms and breathe into the stretch.
Tips
- Relax your neck and keep your spine long.
Adjustments
- Bend your knees or walk feet closer to the wall for a gentler stretch.
Standing Quad
Duration: 01:00
Stand tall and pull your heel toward your glute to stretch the front of your thigh and hip flexors.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart.
- Bend one knee, bringing your heel toward your glute, and grasp the ankle with both hands.
- Pull the heel gently closer while keeping knees together and hips aligned.
Tips
- Engage your core to help you balance.
- Keep the standing leg slightly bent and avoid arching your back.
Adjustments
- Hold a wall or chair if you need balance support.
- Loop a strap or towel around your foot if reaching your ankle is tricky.
- Extend your free arm to the side for extra stability.
Leaning Calf
Duration: 01:00
Lean into the wall to stretch your calves and ankles with a grounded, athletic feel.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand facing a wall about an arm's length away and place your hands on it at shoulder height.
- Step one foot back with toes forward and heel planted.
- Bend your front knee while keeping the back leg straight and lean into the wall to feel the calf stretch.
Tips
- Keep your back heel anchored for the best stretch.
- Maintain a long spine and relaxed shoulders as you lean.
Adjustments
- Walk the back foot closer to the wall if the stretch feels too intense.
Rag Doll
Duration: 00:30
Fold like a rag doll to let your spine decompress and your hamstrings stretch gently.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and knees softly bent.
- Inhale to reach arms overhead and lengthen your spine.
- Exhale to hinge at the hips, letting your torso drape forward.
- Grab opposite elbows and allow head and arms to hang heavy.
Tips
- Distribute weight evenly between heels and balls of the feet.
- Focus on lengthening your spine instead of trying to touch the floor.
Adjustments
- Bend your knees more deeply if your back feels tight.
- Rest elbows on a block or chair for extra support.
Return to your tasks feeling taller and more energized.
