This “Cat-Cow” Stretch is a really easy one to do and a nice, gentle way to get the muscles around your spine and hips moving well.
STEP 1:
Kneel on your hands and knees, placing a mat or soft cushioning underneath you if you need it.
STEP 2:
Take a deep breath in and as you breathe out, press your spine up towards the sky, pressing into the ground with your knees and hands. Let your head droop heavily.
STEP 3:
Take another deep breath in and as you breathe out, arch your back in the opposite direction, poking your tailbone up to the sky. Look upwards to increase the stretch too.
Repeat this stretch 4-5 times, moving gently and slowly through the movements. This shouldn’t cause any unwanted pain, but just feel like a nice stretch in your back, hips and even your tummy muscles if they’re particularly tightened.
This shouldn’t cause any unwanted pain, but just feel like a nice stretch in your back, hips and even your tummy muscles if they’re particularly tightened. If it hurts your wrists, chat to me for an alternative stretch next time you’re in the clinic.
Some tips:
Don’t “bounce” these stretches, take them nice and slow. And remember to breathe deeply.
As always, check with me or a suitable health professional for advice if you’re not sure about which stretches are best for you personally.