Monday Motivation: 6 Stretches That Will Make You More Energetic
By Nmami Agarwal 08-Nov 2021 Reading Time: 4 Mins
Stretches have a lot of benefits, it can be quite useful and is an integral part of the workout, they help keep the body warm and accelerate blood circulation. A proper routine always consists of various stretches and helps the body warm up to have a good day. It also helps you gain confidence, and can make a huge difference in the way your mind and body start to work off during the day. Some of the most basic stretches that can help to start on a good note are-
- Child’s Pose
It is a good restorative pose that helps stretch out the hips, pelvis, thighs, and spine. It also helps calm the brain and relieves stress and fatigue, and helps to start the day on the right foot, all you need is a good yoga mat to cushion your knees. This pose works on the gluteus maximus, piriformis, other rotators, hamstrings, spinal extensors, and more. - Cat-Cow (Marjaryasana and Bitilasana)
These two together can increase the circulation of the spinal fluid. These poses help lubricate the spine, stretch your back and torso, and gently massage the organs in the abdominal area. These poses also wake you up well, and it works on the spine, releasing all tension in it, and the muscles of the arm, abdominal and back. - Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
It is a great pose for the morning due to its mild inversion. It helps reset the nervous system, calm the brain, and energize the body. It can be therapeutic for sciatica and relieves fatigue, it is good especially for people with back problems. This works your shoulder, arms, wrists, and core muscles, it stretches the hamstrings, spine, and calves, a lot of the muscles are working. - One-legged Dog
This is good for side abs and lower body, it opens the parts and quiets the mind while developing confidence, it is good for morning practice. The muscles worked on this pose are side body, hamstrings, and hip flexors while strengthening your arms. - Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)
It is known as the standing pose, also called the power pose. It works on confidence, the flexibility of the body, and increases energy levels, it strengthens your shoulders, back, arms, legs, and ankles. It opens your hips, chests, and lungs, and also increases circulation. - Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
This is a simple pose and can help strengthen your posture, your confidence, and the rest of your yoga practice. The muscles worked on this pose are an assortment of muscles in the torso, legs, core, and arms. - Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
It calms the brain, relieves stress, fatigue, and anxiety, and stimulates the kidney, liver, and digestion. It works your spinal muscles, your glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps, and piriformis.Try these exercises regularly as it can be de-stressing and good for the body.