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Whether you’re aching from a long day at work or suffering from tightness in the neck, shoulders, back and legs, yoga can help you to ease your discomfort. Celebrity yoga teacher and Reebok ambassador Tara Stiles demonstrates a few simple moves to combat muscle tightness and stiffness. An active blogger who was dubbed the “Yoga Rebel” by The New York Times, Tara trains personalities such as Deepak Chopra with doable, relatable methods to yoga and healthy living.
This article was originally published in Shape.com.sg.
PHOTOGRAPH: Reebok
For stiff neck and shoulders
Stand tall with your feet parallel to each other. Interlace your hands behind your back. Take a deep breath and open your chest up. Exhale as you soften your knees and fold your torso over your legs. Relax your arms overhead. Hang here for five long, deep breaths. Relax your arms and slowly roll back upwards to stand.
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For stiff neck and shoulders
Lie on your back. Hug your knees into your chest and plant your feet on the ground hip- width apart. Press your arms on the ground by your sides and lift your hips up. Hang here for five long, deep breaths. Lower yourself one vertebra at a time. Rest here for three breaths and repeat twice more.
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For sore back
Sit with your knees on top of each other. Rest your hands on your feet and hang upright for ten long, deep breaths. If you feel open and there is no pain in your knees or back, fold your torso forward. Hang here for ten long, deep breaths. Slowly roll upwards and do the other side.
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For sore back
Lie on your back. Hug your knees into your chest. Open your arms out to your sides. Let your knees fall to your right and gaze toward your left. Stay here for five long, deep breaths and do the other side.
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For tight hamstrings or calves
Come onto all fours. Tuck your toes and lift your hips upwards. Relax your head and neck, and shoulders. Pedal through your feet and allow your body to move any way it feels good. Hang here for ten long, deep breaths.
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For tight hamstrings or calves
In the downward dog pose, place your right foot forward. Press your fingertips on the ground alongside your front foot. Fold your torso over your front leg. Allow your torso to sway a bit to loosen things up. Hang here for five long, deep breaths, then do the other side.