Stretch
Flexibility will make daily activities—such as bending over to tie your shoes or running to catch the bus—easier and less tiring. Stretching also improves your circulation as well as your range of motion, which helps keep you balanced, preventing falls and other injuries as you age. Try this stretch as soon as you wake up: Stand with your feet three feet apart, hips directly over your ankles. Interlace your hands behind your back and straighten your arms. Inhale and draw your shoulder blades in toward each other, then exhale and bend forward at the pelvis. Allow your arms to move down toward your head. Hold for ten seconds, taking three to five deep breaths. To release, unclasp your hands and place them on your thighs, bend your knees slightly, and roll back up.
From the
February 2010 issue of
O, The Oprah MagazineAs a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
