Asanas that stretch your love handles

Today’s asanas stretch your love handles — the sides, the muscles of the pelvic region, trunk, arms and thighs. They also strengthen the back muscles.

Caution: Those with severe back problems should not do these. Those with knee pain should place a cushion underneath the bent knee.

Exercise 1

• Kneel on floor with knees a little apart
• Bend body to left side and place left palm to the side as shown
• Raise right arm and stretch over the head, parallel to floor
• Hold for 10-30 seconds
• Return to start position
• Repeat other side.

Exercise 2

• Kneel on floor, knees comfortably apart
• Raise left arm above the head and right arm straight in front parallel to floor. Make fists as shown
• Exhale and bend to right side
• Hold 10-30 seconds
• Return to start position
• Repeat other side.

Exercise 3

• Sit back on your heels, knees apart, toes of both feet touching as shown
• Place right fist on the waist, inhale and raise the left arm
• Exhale and bend to right, stretching arm over head, parallel to floor
• Hold 10-30 seconds
• Return to start position and repeat other side.

Exercise 4

• Stay sitting as in exercise 3
• Raise both arms above head, and interlock fingers
• Exhale and bend to one side
• Hold for 10-30 seconds
• Repeat other side.