December 8

The soldiers were made of tin

This exercise will make you grin.

Prone Leg Lift

Start

1.     Lay face down with your palms on the floor stretched in front of you or folded under your forehead.

Movement

1.     Straighten your leg then lift it a few inches off the ground with your toe pointed.

2.     Lower your leg to the floor with your knee remaining straight.

3.     Repeat with your other leg, then get marching!

4.     Click the link below and grin! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMGKtXElgvA

Tchaikovsky and I salute your efforts!

Carol

Away in a Manger: Crunch

December 7

Have too much to eat at brunch?

Don’t repent; do a crunch!

Crunch

Start
1. Lie on back with knees bent, feet on floor and shoulder-width apart.
2. Put hands behind your head to rest at the top of your neck.
Movement
1. Lift your shoulder blades 2-4 inches off the floor.

2. Keep your head in line with your spine and your eyes looking at the ceiling.
3. Hold the position for two seconds and return slowly to the starting position.

4. Repeat 20 times.

Two key elements to this exercise: eyes to the ceiling; slow movements.

Jolly Old St. Carol had to think hard about today’s song to find one with just the right timing, and the winner is, “Away in a Manger!” 

Here’s to channeling your youth!

Carol

Be a Good Elf: Side-lying Leg Lift

December 6

To be a really good elf,

You need some time for yourself.

Side-lying Leg Lift

Start

1.     Lie on your side with your legs extended out straight. Your lower arm can rest under your head; your top arm can rest on your hip.

Movement

1.     Lift the top leg up while keeping your hips steady and facing forward (do not rotate backward).

2.     Lower down

3.     Repeat 15 times on each side.

It’s not quite the same as a bubble bath or a really good book, but at least you are lying down!

Have a holly, jolly Christmas!

Carol

Do You Hear the Angels?: Cobra

December 5

It came upon a midnight clear,

That a cobra was nothing to be feared.

Cobra

Start
1. Lie on stomach with arms alongside body, palms facing floor.
Movement
1. Draw-in belly button, squeeze butt muscles and pinch shoulder blades together.
2. Lift chest and hands off floor, keeping arms straight.
3. Hold five seconds. Lower, rest.

4. Repeat five times or sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear and cobra for one stanza, rest for the next.

Did you hear the Angels sing? If not, try again!

Carol

Onward Rudolph!: Push-up

December 4

No one wants their arms to jingle,

So do some push-ups until you tingle.

Push-up

Start

1. Begin in push-up position with feet together and toes on floor; hands slightly wider than shoulder-width apart.

2. Draw-in belly button and squeeze butt muscles.

Movement

3. With flat back, slowly lower body toward floor, lowering and squeezing shoulder blades.

4. Push up to starting position - do not jut head forward.

5. Repeat five times. It’s ok to sing, “Carol got run over by a reindeer…!”

If it is too difficult to do this exercise, put your knees on the floor, keep your body straight and go from there. But, every day you should try to do a push-up. A key strategy – start in the upward position (i.e. with your arms straight and lower yourself instead of trying to push up as the first move).

Onward Rudolph!

Carol