untitled

Photograph by Blaine Michioka/Rainbow Photography

Child’s pose ........................................................................................

This move stretches your lower back and arms and relaxes your entire body.

If you have knee problems, lower yourself into position with extra care.

Here’s what to do:

1. Start in a kneeling position.


2. Drop your butt toward your heels as you stretch the rest of your body
   down and forward.


3. In the fully stretched position, rest your arms in a relaxed position
   along the floor, rest your stomach comfortably on top of your thighs,
   and rest your forehead on the mat (see Figure 16-2).

You should feel a mild stretch in your shoulders and buttocks and down

the length of your spine and arms.

Ease into this stretch by keeping your shoulders and neck relaxed. Don’t

force your derriere to move any closer to your heels than is comfortable.

a. b.

c.

Figure 16-1:

Forward

bend.

254 Part V: Cardio-Strength Workouts: Getting the Best of Both Worlds