3 Stretches to Ease Holiday-Induced Aches and Pains

Source: Best Health magazine, November/December 2015

Between all the schlepping wrapping, cooking and cocktail-partying, the holidays can be hard on your body. We asked Christine Russell, co-founder of 889 Yoga in Toronto, for her go-to stretches to ease what aches.

After a gingerbread bake-a-thon’ relax with an upper back stretch. Get on all fours on the ground. Inhale, drop your belly, lift your gaze to the ceiling. Exhale, curl your spine like an angry cat as you drop your head and neck. Repeat 10 times.

After partying in heels’ ease tension in your lower back with a simple twist. Lie down on the ground. Close your eyes and breathe deeply as you bend your knees and plant your feet on the ground, hip-width apart. Drop your knees to the left as you gently turn your head to the right. Hold for two minutes. Then drop your knees to the right, and turn your head to the left. Hold for two minutes.

After a holiday shopping spree’
Lugging heavy bags can take a toll on your shoulders, arms and neck. When you get home, give the whole area a stretch: Stand arm’s length from your kitchen counter; bend in half at the waist and rest your hands on the counter for support. Let your head fall between your arms, release your neck and breath in this position for one minute.