Today's asanas strengthen the hip and leg muscles. They also relax the lower back, strengthen the arms, wrists, improve blood circulation to the brain and help develop co-ordination and concentration. Caution: Those with high blood pressure should avoid these asanas.

Exercise 1

• Stand with both your feet together. Inhale and raise your arms above your head, holding both the palms together
• Exhale and bend forward from your hips. Simultaneously lift one leg up, keeping your head, arms, trunk and leg parallel to the floor in one straight line. Now focus on your hands
• Hold the position for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally
• Repeat with the other leg.

Exercise 2

• Stand with both your feet together, inhale and raise both your arms over your head
• Exhale and bend forward from the hips, simultaneously raising one leg up, as shown.
• Place all your fingers on the floor, in line with shoulders.
• Keep the head, trunk and leg in one straight line
• Hold the position for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally
• Repeat with the other leg.

Exercise 3

• Turn your body to one side and bring one foot forward, positioning it three to four feet ahead of the other, as shown
• Raise both your arms over your head and hold both the palms together
• Exhale and bend forward from the hips so that your head, arms and torso are parallel to floor in one straight line
• Hold the position for 10-30 seconds, breathing normally
• Repeat with the other leg.