Sit-Up Pose “ Round Up”

Purposes and Benefits:

• Realigns spine and enhances its flexibility
• Increases flexibility of hamstrings
• Massages abdominal organs
• Strengthens and tightens abdominal muscles
• Tones torso
• Energizes body to prepare it for next pose

How to Do:

• Start from Corpse pose (#13)
• Flex toes up toward ceiling
• Bring both arms overhead and cross thumbs
• Inhale as you sit up and exhale as you start diving forward to reach for toes
• Work toward keeping legs on floor
• Grab toes and lay body flat on legs to stretch back of body
• If hamstrings and lower back are too tight, bend knees slightly to grab toes and touch forehead to knees
• Stay motivated even if you think you have no abdominal strength; building strength takes time