The Cobra Pose

That’s right folks.

You can do anything for one minute.

And there’s a life time of benefit.

The Cobra Pose or stretch, can help relief discomfort in the muscles of the back, neck and abdomen. Furthermore, a little time spent in cobra pose can go a long way towards alleviating stress, anxiety and even depression.

Start by lying flat on your stomach on a comfortable, level surface – you may use a yoga mat, but here, I’m just using the floor. Make sure your feet are together with the tops of them against the floor. Spread your hands on the floor under your shoulders and hug your elbows against your rib cage. Feel the stability in your pelvis, thighs and tops of your feet.

As you inhale, steadily straighten your arms and lift your chest from the floor. Extend through and deepen your stretch to create a graceful, even arc in your back. Use the stretch in your legs and back, instead of exerting yourself to gain height and risk overarching the spine. Press your tailbone toward your pubis and lift your pubis toward your navel, narrowing your hips. Keep your shoulders broad, but relaxed, with the blades low on your back.

Lift from the top of your sternum, but avoid pushing the front of your ribs forward. Rather, puff your side ribs forward and keep your lower back relaxed. Try to distribute the stretch evenly along your spine. Breathe calmly and hold here for 5 to 10 breaths. As you exhale, gently release your body back to the floor.

Just a minute.

That’s all it takes, on the road to fitness !