Stretch your way to happiness

One of the easiest ways to stretch your back, hips and legs all at the same time is to lie on your back and perform this simple move called Happy Baby. The floor will help support your spine while you use the strength of your arms and the pull of gravity to create the stretch. It feels especially good after an intense cardio or weight workout.

1 Lie on your back and bend your knees, moving your thighs to the outside of your chest. Grasp the outer edges of your feet with your hands and press your heels up toward the ceiling. Using the strength of your arms, pull your feet forward toward the floor. Make sure you feel the back of your head and your hips resting on the floor. Retract your chin inward slightly to elongate the back of your neck. Hold for 20-30 seconds, breathing fully and deeply.

2 If you cannot easily reach your feet, try holding the backs of your thighs while pushing up through your heels. Make sure you feel the back of your head and your hips pressing firmly on the floor. Retract your chin inward slightly to elongate the back of your neck. Hold for 20-30 seconds, breathing fully and deeply.

- Karen Voight

Karen Voight can be reached at kvoightla@aol.com.