Ready to feel your best bend? Flexibility with Vera aims to create room in the fitness industry for people of all sizes and abilities to feel welcomed, safe, and excited about moving.
SHARE
Summer is right around the corner, Reader.
But this weekend it just rained. And rained. And then it was cloudy. And then it rained again.
All my plans were washed away, and you know the vibes I feel when it's super rainy all day?
Curling up on my couch with a tea, and maybe a book, or watching a movie marathon of something I've seen a bunch of times already.
Unfortunately, as comfy as it is, it's not so much for our bodies. We're prone to round our shoulders, close off our bodies and stay in that position for a long time. Then we get up and immediately feel all that stiffness we built up without noticing.
The worst, amirite?
That's why for this end of month's stretches, I thought I'd throw 3 moves your way that you can do before you curl up, halfway through the day when you realize it's been 2 hours since you moved, or before you transition to your bed.
90/90 Side Bend Twist
These GIFs are always sped up! Take your time with them.
Seated with your legs out to one side, open your front thigh to be in line with your hip, and knee bent at 90 degrees, bring your back thigh in line with the hips, with the knee also bent at 90 degrees
Bring your outside hand to the ground, or to a block and lift your opposite arm up into a side bend
Turn this into a nice thoracic twist by lowering your top arm down to reach the grounded hand, and open back up
Continue this twist for 3-5x, then swing your legs around to do the same movement on the other side
90/90 not it? Opt for a 45/45 where your legs are closer in, or ditch the 90/90 part of this movement altogether and find a comfortable seated position.
Pigeon Pose
From a table top position shift one knee forward, and extend the other back behind you
Lift your back knee so you can externally rotate your front leg so your foot crosses your hips. The foot can be close to your hip, or up to a 90-degree angle
Adjust your hips so the pose feels comfortable and your weight feels balanced between both legs
Hands can be directly under your shoulders, in front of your shoulders or you can come down to your forearms if it's in reach
Hold for 30-45 seconds before switching sides
Make it a combo: Add a classic goal post opener here (3 times) before sinking your chest and arms down to the ground.
Child's Pose
Start off in a kneeling position, and a bolster (or 2-3 pillows stacked) in front of you
Bring your heels together and your knees as wide as possible - give your body some space
Slowly walk your way down, extending your arms out and letting your body melt into the prop while your head turns to one side
Put a bit of pressure into your hands to put a little heat in your shoulders, and think of curling your hips in towards your belly button to find a nice stretch in the lower back
Hold for 30 to however long you want because it just feels really nice
Alternatively: you can add a side bend by walking your hands to one corner of the mat.
I hope the weather is nicer where you are right now, and you can actually just tuck this email away for now and come back to it later. But if it's rainy right now, let me know how you find these stretches!
And for whenever you want to get some more movement in, regardless of the weather, The Garden (and me!) are there for you.
Ready to feel your best bend? Flexibility with Vera aims to create room in the fitness industry for people of all sizes and abilities to feel welcomed, safe, and excited about moving.