Have a ball stretching your sides

Try doing this side stretch while holding a large stability ball. The width of the ball helps to keep your arms in correct alignment to make the stretch more effective. You can also perform this exercise without a ball by keeping your hands shoulder-

width apart and your palms facing each other.

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1 Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and parallel. Hold a large stability ball overhead with straight arms.

2 As you inhale, stretch your body upward and gently to the right. Do not drop your left arm across your face. You should feel this stretch along the entire left side of your body, from your hips to your fingertips. Hold this position as you breathe fully for three breaths. Inhale as you return to the center. Exhale and repeat on the other side.

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Karen Voight can be reached at [email protected].