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10 Feel-Better Yoga Moves

Battle your daily aches and pains with these healing poses and positions
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For a budding case of carpal tunnel
Try: Staff Pose

Why: This simple position strengthens the flexor muscles in your forearms to help soothe and prevent carpal tunnel syndrome and pinched nerves in wrists.

Sit on the floor with your legs together and extended in front of you, keeping your back straight. Place the palm of your hands on the floor on by your hips. Flex your toes and point your fingers away from you (toward your toes). Sit towards the front of the sit bones, and adjust the pubis and tailbone equidistant from the floor. Squeeze your thighs inward, press down and feel the stretch in your wrists. Hold for one minute or longer.

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For tired, stiletto-abused ankles
Try: Downward-Facing Dog with Foot Pedal

Why: The ankles and feet are usually ignored in stretching. This foundational yoga pose gives both areas a deep stretch to counteract the unnatural positioning created by high heels.

Start on your hands and knees. On an exhale, tuck your toes under and press into your hands as you lift your hips to create an inverted "V" shape with your body. Keep your hands shoulder-width apart and your feet hip-width apart, and spread your fingers wide. Next, slowly pedal each foot, shifting your weight from left to right to deepen the stretch and strengthen ankles. Repeat for 10 breaths.

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For a serious case of desk butt
Try: Goddess Pose

Why: This wide squat looks deceptively simple, but once you lower into this bold pose, you'll instantly feel the burn in your glutes and quads.

Stand with your legs about three feet apart and turn your heels inward. Then, bend your knees until you come into a wide squat and your thighs are parallel to the ground. Make sure your knees are directly over your ankles. Once you're settled in your squat, you can either extend your arms out with palms facing up, bring your hands to prayer position at your chest, or bend your arms at the elbows, palms facing away, until they create 90-degree angles -- pick whichever works best for you. Try not to arch your back or hunch forward. Hold for five deep breaths.

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For a less-than-supportive core
Try: Boat Pose

Why: This challenging balancing pose uses your natural body weight to strengthen the core for better overall posture.

Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Press your hands on the floor a little behind your hips, fingers pointing toward the feet, and lean back slightly, keeping your core engaged and your back straight. Exhale and bend your knees, lifting your feet off the floor so your thighs make a 45-degree angle. Stay here for the modified pose.

To enter the full pose, slowly straighten your knees and point your toes upward until you create a "V" shape with your body. Stretch your arms alongside the legs, parallel to each other and the floor. If this is too difficult, keep your hands on the floor beside your hips or hold on to the backs of your thighs. Stay in the pose for 10 to 20 seconds and increase time with practice.

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For knee pain
Try: Warrior II Pose

Why: This pose strengthens the vastus medialis, the area of the quad muscle that extends the knee. With proper form and practice, Warrior II keeps knees aligned and pain-free.

Place your feet wide apart, extending your arms out to either side. Turn your left foot in about 30 degrees and your right leg out 90 degrees. Keep your torso upright as you bend your right knee. Make sure your knee does not go beyond your ankle and toes. Keep the shin vertical while bringing your right thigh parallel to the floor, so the leg is bent at a right angle. Make sure your knee is above your second toe and don't let the thigh of your bent leg turn inward. Turn your head to look out over your right fingertips and hold for five breaths. Return to center, shift your weight to the opposite side and repeat.

BY ERICA SMITH | NOV 30, 2016 | SHARES
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