Fitness: Cabin Fever Solutions

When you’re stuck indoors on cold, damp days, get rid of that dull, cramped body feeling by simply breathing and reaching into the space around you.

A little preparation:

Take a breath of fresh air by cracking open a window or your balcony door.

Sit forward on a firm chair with your hands in your lap.

Imagine yourself in the centre of a five-pointed star.

Here’s the movement for Star Reaches:

Reach up and away to the sky with your right hand as you take a breath in. Return your hand to your lap as you breathe out.

Reach up and away to the sky with your left hand (breath in) and return your hand (breath out).

Reach and stretch out to your right side with your right hand (breath in) and return (breath out).

Reach and stretch out to your left side with your left hand (breath in) and return (breath out).

Reach your right foot out and away, stretching your whole leg (breath in) and return (breath out).

Reach your left foot out and away, stretching your whole leg (breath in) and return (breath out).

Look up with your face to the sky (breath in) and relax your head forward toward your lap (breath out).

Repeat the whole sequence but don’t force the reaches. Each time you do it, you will be able to reach further.

For a whole-body version, try reaching your limbs and head all at the same time into the star and then folding all the bits and pieces in toward your body.

Dianne Woodruff teaches more exercises on her DVDs and in her classes in 3-D WORKOUT™. Call Body-In-Motion at 905.845.1011 to set up a time to visit her studio.

By Dianne L. Woodruff, CMA, PhD

printer friendly

Email this article