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Conscious Healthy Living
July 30, 2010
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Good Posture Stretch
Written by Christi   
This posture is one of many that help to stretch out your back and help to relieve some of the fatigue that comes from extended standing or sitting. It is a great exercise for beginners to yoga.
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Instructions:

Start by standing with feet hip width apart or 3 to 4 feet apart. Bring your hands to your hips. 
Place your hands behind your back and interlink your fingers, palms up. Now turn the palms down. This will result in a natural rotating motion of your elbows.
Inhale deeply, then bend forward, while exhaling, while at the same time raising the arms until they are extended out. The elbows should remain straight. Keep your head down, trying to pull your arms up a bit higher.
Continue to remain in this position, breathing for 5 to 10 breaths; then slowly return to the standing position without unlocking your fingers. 
Repeat the exercise as needed.

Anatomical Focus                                                                        

Forward bend

Benefits

This pose releases tension in the shoulders and opens the heart center. It also stretches the back of the hamstrings. It can be used as a transition pose between standing poses and seated poses.

Precautions

If your shoulders are extremely tight or developed, bring your hands to your hips and fold forward with the hands remaining on the hips. Keep the spine straight.

Doshic Benefits

Opening the shoulders and heart center benefits Pitta. Standing poses benefit Vata.

Beginner Tips

Hold onto a strap between the hands and fold forward. Walk the hands closer to each other along the strap when you are inverted.

Variations

Another form of this exercise is done from a kneeling pose. The technique is the same, only here you bend over until your forehead touches the floor.

* Please check with your physician before beginning any exercise program
 

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