Give your lungs a little breathing room

How often do you stretch the sides of your body? Yoga poses like this help to release tightness in your hips and obliques as well as the space between each of your ribs. Your breathing can improve once your lungs have room to expand, and your lower back may feel more limber due to less restriction in the area.

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1) Kneel on the ground or on a padded surface. Extend your left leg to the side with your knee and toes pointed toward the ceiling. Raise both arms overhead, fingertips reaching up. Pull your abdominals in and draw your tailbone down to protect your lower back. Inhale and lengthen up through your spine and the crown of your head.

2) On an exhale, hinge at the hip as you bend your torso over your left leg. Keep both sides of your torso lengthening evenly. Reach your left hand wherever it lands comfortably, on your thigh, shin, ankle or foot. Stretch your right arm up, palm facing the floor, with your upper arm near your ear. Look down, forward or up. Hold and breathe deeply for 15 to 20 seconds. On an inhale, lift your torso up to the start position. Repeat on the opposite side.

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

-- Karen Voight