Story by: Claire Challen
A jog in the crisp darkness three minutes after rolling out of bed is a snappy way to wake up before doing your morning stretches. However, you could also choose to stay in your jammies and loosen up with five of my favourite movements while the coffee is brewing.
ARCH & CURL
Inhale, arch your spine, open your chest and look upward. Exhale, curl your spine and tuck your chin to chest. Repeat 20 times.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS
Lie on your back with feet flat on the ground. Lower knees to one side while looking to the other side. Alternate sides, exhaling as you lower your legs and inhaling as you bring them back up. Repeat 20 times.
WARRIOR LUNGE
Step forward into a lunge, keeping hips square/facing forward. Raise both arms overhead, pull shoulders down and away from your ears. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times each side.
PIGEON
From plank position, bring your left foot as close as possible to your right wrist. Lower down onto your elbows, releasing into the stretch. Hold for 30 seconds or more.
DYNAMIC POSTERIOR CHAIN STRETCH
In hi pike position, lift your right leg off the ground keeping hips square. Push your left heel into the floor and you should feel a good stretch in the back of your left leg from calf to hamstring. Hold for 20 seconds, then do 10 leg lifts, lowering toe to floor and back up. Repeat on the other side.
