Warrior II
The Warrior II Pose is great for strengthening the core and the legs, while also stretching the chest, hips, and shoulders. To begin:
- stand up straight with your feet together and your arms down at your side, palms facing out.
- take a big step back with one leg. Turn your back foot so that it is perpendicular to your front foot.
- keeping your arms straight, raise them to shoulder-level, parallel to the floor, with the palms of your hands facing down.
- while exhaling, bend your front knee so that it is over your ankle. (If needed, move the toes of your front foot so that your knee and toes are pointing in the same direction.)
- Open your shoulders while keeping your body centered.
Hold for 3 – 5 deep breaths, then change sides and repeat. Do this several times on each side.