Eldery woman sitting on yoga mat reaching for her toes stretching

From Sharp Health News, a publication of Sharp HealthCare

A morning stretch routine is a great way to jump-start your day. You will get your circulation going, focus your mind and gently wake up your body.

Seated upward stretch. Upward stretches are a great way to wake up your whole body and get the blood flowing.

  • Sit cross-legged on the floor.
  • Interlace your fingers and raise your hands above your head, palms facing upward.
  • Elongate your spine and feel the stretch in your rib cage and arms.
  • Take a few deep breaths as you reach from both sides of your torso.
  • Relax and repeat one more time.

Forward fold. The forward fold aims to relieve tension from the back and increase the flexibility of the hamstrings and calf muscles.

  • Sit on the floor with your legs out straight.
  • Bring your arms over your head.
  • Begin to fold forward with your arms and shoulders, followed by your back and core.
  • Lower your torso as low as you can, and once you find a comfortable depth, relax your shoulders and stay in the pose for 20 to 30 seconds.
  • Slowly raise your torso back up to the starting position.

Standing half-moon. This lateral side stretch opens up the side of the body, including the rib cage.

  • While standing, lift up your arms toward the sky, interlacing your fingers.
  • Stretch upward, then slowly over to the right, grounding through your feet as you reach out.
  • Take three deep breaths.
  • Relax and slowly move your bent torso back to center
  • Repeat on the other side

The VEBA Resource Center offers Full Body Stretch Classes. Join the VRC team for a class that will leave you feeling relaxed, restored and maybe even standing up a bit straighter. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.