Wai Lana's Upward Body Stretch

Yoga and height increase? Here we go.

Body Upward Stretch
You can do this stretch just about anywhere, with or without a wall. It feels especially good if you've been sitting for a long time as it gets all the kinks out of your spine and releases shoulder tension.

1. Stand with your feet a few inches from a wall, hip-width apart. Your buttocks touch the wall.

2. Inhale and slowly raise your arms to the sides and over your head.

3. Interlock your fingers and turn your palms up. Stretch your hands and arms upward, straightening your elbows.

4. Lift your chin and look up at your hands.

5. Come up onto your toes. Stretch your whole body upward. Breathe normally as you extend your spine up, allowing your abdomen to contract slightly. Bring your arms back toward the wall.

6. Lower your heels to the floor, straighten your head, release your hands, and lower your arms to your sides. Close your eyes and relax.

Focus in the Pose...
Lift, lift, lift. Lift your heels, lift your kneecaps, lift your spine, lift your ribs, lift your arms. This is called Body Upward Stretch, so do just that: stretch everything upward. Just don't hunch your shoulders up toward your ears.

Benefits
• Releases shoulder tension
• Tones the spinal nerves
• Strengthens the ankles and calves
• Improves balance
• Encourages healthy elimination

To watch the instructional video, go to Wailana Yoga