Good Form: Counteract the drive time
After long hours of sitting in front of your computer or behind the steering wheel of your car, take a break to stretch your hip and back muscles. This move is simple to do and extremely effective.
Sit upright in a sturdy chair with no arm rests. Position your left foot on the floor just beneath your left knee. Cross your right ankle over your left thigh. Be sure to “flex” your right foot by “pushing out” with your right heel. This will direct the stretch into your right hip and help protect your right knee from any twisting motion. Inhale as you straighten your back and sit up tall.
On an exhalation, maintain a straight back as you bend forward from your hips to bring your chest over your legs. Slide your right arm through the window of your legs and reach your left arm around the outside of your left leg, then grasp both hands around your lower left leg. Hold this position while you breath deeply, focusing on relaxing your hip and buttock muscles. Slowly release your hands, sit upright and switch legs. Repeat on the other side.
Voight is the creator of a line of fitness DVDs including “Full Body Stretch” and “Ballet BodySculpt.”