babyMaternity Magazine
Creative Child

5 Yoga Poses To Improve Posture

by Mollie Twohig

Continued...

3. Lunge Twist: This pose opens the chest and shoulders, while also strengthening the legs. Begin in downward facing dog, and then step your right foot forward between your hands into lunge position. Keep your left hand on the floor and twist your body, extending your right arm towards the ceiling. Look up and stretch your fingers long, twisting deeper. Hold for 30 seconds, inhaling and exhaling comfortably.

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4. Bridge Pose: This pose opens the heart and chest and improves spinal flexibility. Lie on your back and bend your knees so that your feet are close to your buttocks, keeping them hip distance apart. Lift your hips a few inches off of the floor. Interlace your fingers, and press your arms down into the mat. Roll your shoulders back and under your body, and lift your hips upwards even more. Lift your chest towards your chin, holding for 30 seconds.

5. Yoga Ball Stretch: Remember that yoga ball that you might have bought to labor on or bounce your colicky newborn to sleep? It's time to use it for a nice relaxing stretch. Simply sit on the ball and roll back so that you are lying down. Spread your arms out wide and the hang as you take 10-15 long deep breathes for yourself. Feel your chest lift and heart open up wide. Focus on letting any stress, fatigue, and negative energy roll off your shoulders and away. Slowly roll back up to a seated position and repeat several times (or until your little one wants Itsy Bitsy Spider mimed out!).

Beyond these poses, the age-old lesson from your own mom holds: sit up straight, keep your shoulders back, and chin up.

Namaste!

Bio coming soon.

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