Move the legs to work the core

Here’s a good core move that exercises the muscles in your back and abdominals while stretching your hips. When starting out, do this exercise with bent knees. As you get stronger and feel more comfortable with the move, progress to straightening your legs.

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1) Lie on your back with your arms out to the sides so that your body forms a T position. Turn your palms up. Bend your knees toward your chest or straighten your legs for more intensity. In the straight-leg variation, be sure to keep the inside edges of your feet together and press upward with your heels.

2) On an inhale, continue lengthening through your heels and slowly move your feet toward your right hand. Keep both shoulders on the floor. As soon as you feel your left shoulder beginning to rise off the floor, stop lowering your legs. Pause for 8 to 10 seconds, breathing evenly. Exhale, press your right arm firmly into the ground as you tighten your abdominal muscles to bring your legs back to the center. Repeat on the other side. Alternate sides until you have completed 6 reps on each side. Gradually build up to 10 reps on each side.

Karen Voight

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