Yoga
Salutation to the Moon
- STAND UP TALL with your feet together and arms at your side. Take a deep breath and as you exhale, bring your palms together in a prayer position.
- INHALE. With your palms still together, gently stretch your arms up and back over your head. Allow your hips to push forward.
- EXHALE as you stretch your hands down toward your toes. Bending forward, place your hands next to your feet, palms on the floor. Bend your knees a bit if you need to. Tuck your forehead in toward your knees.
- INHALE AND STRETCH your right leg straight back behind you as far as you can. Bend the right knee, lowering your hips close to the ground. Your hands should remain on either side of your feet as you stretch your head and look upward. Retain your breath.
- BRING YOUR LEFT LEG BACK to meet the right. Keep your arms straight and your body in a plank position on your toes, not dropping your hips or head. Hold for a few seconds as you stretch.
- EXHALE. Gently lower your knees to the floor, arms still extended in front of you. Shift your weight to your heels. Keeping as low to the ground as possible, slowly extend your body forward toward your hands.
- INHALE as you slowly continue stretching by arching your back and looking up toward the ceiling. Your arms should be straight, close to your body, supporting your upper weight, and hips should be on the floor.
- EXHALE, tucking your toes under and raising your hips into an inverted V. Keep your hands flat and your elbows and knees straight.
- INHALE. Bring your right foot forward and place it on the floor between the palms, dropping your left knee to the ground.
- EXHALE and bring your left foot forward and place it next to your right foot. Raise your hips and stretch them upward, keeping your hands on the floor (bend your knees slightly if you need to).
- INHALE and slowly roll up, one vertebra at a time. Exhale and bring your hands together.
- Repeat, extending the opposite leg first.
Excerpted from Ageless Beauty
