by Lori Crawford

Created on: January 14, 2008

There are several easy flexibility exercises you can do at home. Before you begin, you should think of your muscles as chewing gum. When they're relaxed after no activity still in the wrapper they're stiff and not as prone to movement. To prepare for your stretches, you should do a brisk walk start chewing around your home while pumping your arms. This will soften up your muscles to make the stretches more effective.

Now let's stretch!

Neck

While sitting on a supportive surface with good posture gently lower your chin to you chest for a few seconds. Next, tilt your head back to look at the sky. You'll feel more stretch if you pull up with the muscles in your jaw. Third, sit on your left hand. Reach straight up with your right hand and place your fingers on your left temple. Gently pull down. Repeat with the other hand. Sitting on your relaxed hand insures that you don't tilt your entire body to the side and render the stretch useless.

Arms

Reach straight out in front of you, palm facing in. With the arm still extended, bring it across your body and gently grasp the back of your triceps just above the elbow with your other hand. Hold for a count of eight. Relax and repeat three times. Switch arms.

This time, reach straight up, palm facing in. Bend your elbow so your hand touches your upper back. With the other hand, reach over your head to grab your elbow. Gently pull on your elbow so you feel your fingers lower on your back. Hold for a count of 8. Relax and repeat 3 times. Switch arms.

Hips

If you haven't already, move to the floor. Lie down with your legs straight. Cross your legs so your left ankle rests just above your right knee. Slowly bend your right knee up. This will pull your left leg up and stretch that hip. For more of a stretch, continue to bring your knee toward your nose. Hold for an 8 count. Relax. Repeat 3 times. Switch legs.

Sit on the floor with your legs extended straight in front of you. Cross you right leg over your left and bend your knee up. Your right foot should be flat on the floor just outside your left knee. Next, rotate to the side so you can grasp your right knee with your left arm. Gently pull on your knee. Hold for an 8 count. Relax. Repeat 3 times. Switch legs. Please note that this stretch works the muscles in your back.

Legs

While sitting on the floor, bend your knees so the soles of your feet touch each other. Grasp your feet and gently pull them in to your body. While still holding your feet, press your knees to the floor with your

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