Postures to ease stretching

According to yoga, your body weight is the best weight that can be used for stretching or contracting your muscles. Depending on the posture it can be utilised to stretch muscles for a prolonged period without much effort on your part. Today's postures are all about settling in and becoming comfortable in a stretch, allowing gravity to pull your body weight downwards and create a stretch which is ideal for you.

Exercise 1

•   Exercise 1

• Stand with the feet a little apart; bend the knees slightly, as shown
• Place your left palm on the right knee, the elbow resting on the left knee
• Now raise your right hand over your head twisting your body, as shown
• Look up and breathe normally.
• Hold the position for 10 - 15 counts
• Repeat the same on the other side.

•   Exercise 2

• Bring the left leg forward, keeping the heel on the floor. Take the right leg far behind, the knee resting on the ground
• Inhale and raise both your hands up over the head
• Bend back and touch your right ankle with your right hand, while the left hand is straight in line with the ears, head looking upwards, as shown
• Hold the position for 10 to 15 counts
• Repeat the same on the other side
• Breathe normally.

Exercise 3

•   Exercise 3

• Sit down comfortably; fold your right legs backward
• Fold your left leg with your left foot against your right knee
• Holding your right thigh with your left hand, rest the left shoulder on your left knee
• Bring your right hand over your head and try to touch the floor with your fingers
• Hold the position for 10 to 15 counts
• Repeat the same on the other side
• Breathe normally.