Muscle Memory digital Apr/May 2018 | Page 84

1. Forward Fold in Half Lotus: EXECUTION 4. Upward Facing Dog: • Extend your right leg for- ward and take your blade of your left foot into the right hip crease. • Left arm reaches back into a bind and grabs the foot in the hip • Right arm extends forward to grab the foot in front. With each inhale create expansion and length in your spine and with each exhale lead from the heart and find more surrender in the pose. Hold here for 5 breaths and switch sides. To modify take the left ankle on the right knee, like a figure 4 position and reach both arms toward the extended leg. Avoid pushing or forcing the pose. Give more life to the shape with your breath. EXECUTION • Start sitting on the ground with knees bent. • Take your left foot to the outside of your right hip as your left knee cap faces forward. • Reach your right hand back and grab the outer edge of your right foot and extend it forward. • Lie on the ground, face down. • Take your hands under your shoulders and press the earth away as your straighten your arms. • Keep your toenails anchored on the floor and engage your thighs and quads. • Keep your neck long, chin level with the ground and gaze for- ward. Roll the shoulders back and down away from ears. This pose will help you create flexibility in your spine as well as opening the entire front chest, which often is closed and congested due to being on phones/comput- ers all day. Hold here for 5 breaths. EXECUTION 3. Seated Twist: EXECUTION 5. Wild Thing: • Start in side plank with your left hand as your base and right arm reaching to the sky. • Lift your right leg up and gently take the toes back Hold for 5 breaths and repeat on the other side. behind you and press deeply into your left foot as you reach the hips up. • Allow the right arm to reach back and lift your right hips as high as you can. Breathe in as you elongate up through the spinal column and breathe out as you rotate your thoracic spine to the right. Let the rotation begin from your upper back and softly take your gaze back as you stretch the left side of your neck. Hold for 5 breaths and repeat on the other side. MUSCLEMEMORYMAG.COM 7