March MATness – Single Leg Stretch and Double Leg Stretch

Today we are going to add the single leg stretch and double leg stretch to the mat repertoire that you have hopefully been practicing at home! These are the first two in what we call the “series of 5”

Single Leg Stretch

1. Lie on your back with your legs full extended and engaged. Arms actively pressing into the mat by your side.
2. Squeezing the legs together tightly, pull your ribcage and abs into the mat and lift both the legs a few inches away from the mat
3. Bring the weight of the head forward by curling the upper body and gaze past your toes
4. Bring your right knee into your chest, grab onto your shins and pull the knee into the chest
5. As you are pulling the right knee into the chest, the left leg is actively reaching away from the body
6. Maintaining a strong center switch legs
7. Repeat on each side 5-10x

Double Leg Stretch

1. Lie on your back with your legs full extended and engaged. Arms actively pressing into the mat by your side.
2. Squeezing the legs together tightly, pull your ribcage and abs into the mat and lift both the legs a few inches away from the mat
3. Inhale as you bring the weight of the head forward by curling the upper body and gaze past your toes
4. Arms stretched long, Squeeze the palms in tightly on the side of the thighs and hold for 3 counts
5. Deeply bend the knees into your chest and give them a big hug as you exhale
6. Inhale extend the legs back out and squeeze the arms in tight to the side of the thighs. Repeat 5-10x

The double leg stretch can also be done with the arms extended behind you as the legs are stretching away from your center. Think of the body as being stretched into two directions with a strong center. Visit marchmatness.com for video clips of all the exercises!