Illustrations (c) Anne Asher 2006 Licensed to About.com
Are you at your desk right now? If so, you may wish to try this simple stretch.
Written Instructions for this Back Stretch
This back stretch is recommended by the American Physical Therapy Association and targets the muscles of the seat, low back and shoulders. In my opinion, it targets the abs, too! In the written instructions, I have included some posture and alignment hints for more effectiveness.
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I work 8 hours in front of the computer and, boy, do I need that stretch. I tried the two-minute stretch and felt more relaxed afterwards. This would come in handy not only in the office but on a plane during long flights.
Articles are short, hence, quick to read and follow compared with long and too detailed information. Just right!
Please include more exercise but those that doesn’t require acrobatic ability.
Thanks!
Will do, Syga! Starting in September I will be posting at least one exercise per week on the Back and Neck site. Also in September, look for a monthly feature on Yoga and Back Pain. You will be able to find that on both the Back and Neck site and on the Yoga site. Thanks for your interest — Anne
Has anyone else had some “rookie troubles” with this stretching exercise? Has anyone found a video of this exercise somewhere on the web? I’m all ears and eyes to learn more about this stretch before I try it again. So far, my back moves as “a unit” rather than articulating like a snake. Continuation with this stiff back could hurt me, so I’ll wait for more hints and until my abs get a bit stronger from simple, correctly performed, crunches. Thanks for any input.
Addendum to previous comment:
To see the exercise to which I’m referring, please left click my name (in blue hypertext) and it will take you to the stretch.
This stretch is part of a morning yoga stretch and breathing route that I do most morning. for over 4 months.
After 11 years of prescription meds, I really needed to try something different to deal with my stress disorders, due to my severe chronic pain.
It’s amazing how much better my stress, anxiety and breathing are now. And I’m now doing more modified yoga postures!