Welcome to the weekly Stretch Break! this week for your wrists.  If you sit at a computer during the day, this is the perfect stretch break for you.  A quick, easy, painless tension release and stretch for your wrists. You don’t even have to leave your chair and it takes about 2 minutes!  Your wrists deserve a break, too!

As always the Stretch Break! is designed for the average healthy person.  Please consult a physician before starting this or any other exercise program.

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Welcome back to the weekly Stretch Break! Today’s stretch is for your face.  Do you ever notice you clench your jaw or furrow your brow when you’re thinking or involved deeply in a project?  It’s important to relieve tension from the face to keep your skin smooth, and wrinkles away. Not to mention, it just plain feels good and helps you relax all over.

This one is a little silly, get ready to open your mouth wide.  It is one of my favorites, though, and at the very least you’ll get a good laugh.

As always, remember the Stretch Break! is designed for the average healthy person.  Please consult a physician before beginning this or any exercise program.

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After a little hiatus, the weekly Stretch Break! is back.  Today’s stretch break is inspired from a post I read by Chris Edgar, of Work Consciously, where he describes how to do Eagle Arms in yoga.  I thought it would make a perfect video demonstration.  You can perform this move standing or seated.  I also offer a modification.  This is great for the shoulders and upper back.  As always, please consult a physician if you are unsure whether this move (or any movement based program) is right for you. Enjoy.

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A REQUEST FOR HELP!

I recently applied for a small business grant from the Idea Cafe. Out of thousands of applicants I was chosen as one of 40 semi-finalists. The winner receives $1000 to take their business to the next level.  Becoming a top 5 finalist (I’m currently tied for 5th place, so exciting!) depends on popular vote…and I’m asking for your help to get there.  You can learn more about my submission/vision here:  http://blog.ideacafe.com/semi-finalist-qa-let-it-flow and if you like the idea, I’d love your help/vote to secure that top 5 position.   They do require you register (free), but I haven’t received any spam or emails except to notify me of my semi-finalist standings.  Thank you if you choose to vote!

Voting for selecting the finalists will be open until April 30th at http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/small_business_grants/grant_vote.php

Voting is open to all. Free Idea Cafe registration (http://www.businessownersideacafe.com/ideacafe/register.php ) is required in order to cast a vote.

Feel free to Tweet it or post it on Facebook. If you’ve already voted – THANK YOU SO MUCH. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Today’s Stretch Break! will help you stretch the chest, shoulders and even your wrists.  Today I offer two variations – one from a seated position and one standing. The standing version offers a deeper stretch, the seated version is great for those with back issues who need the support.  You know how you feel, choose the one most appropriate for you (seated version is demonstrated first).  You will need to be seated near a table or desktop for this one. Remember to breathe! And always remember, stretching is feel-good living.

Note: The Stretch Break! series is designed for the average healthy adult. Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have back, wrist or shoulder pain/injury these stretches may not be right for you. If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these exercises.

Enjoy!

Welcome to your weekly stretch break.  By request this week’s stretch is for the lower back, and you don’t even have to leave your chair.  For those of you with tight lower backs/hamstrings or high blood pressure, I offer a modification version first.   This is definitely one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy it, too.

Note:  The Stretch Break series is designed for the average healthy adult.  Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have lower back injury/issues or high blood pressure this stretch may not be right for you.  If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these or any exercises.

When you sit a lot during the day your hips and lower back get compressed and that creates stress on the body.  The hips also serve as a storage depot for emotional “stuff”.  During today’s stretch break I guide you through a chair stretch for hips.  Once again, this stretch is great for anyone who sits a lot during the day.  This is also great for runners/athletes or anyone you just wants to relieve lower body tension.  Always remember to breathe!  Stretching is feel-good living.

Note:  The Stretch Break series is designed for the average healthy adult.  Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have knee, back or hip pain/injury this stretch may not be right for you.  If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these exercises

MODIFICATION: If you have trouble lifting your foot to your knee as demonstrated in the video try this: If you are lifting the right ankle to the left knee, instead of bending the left knee, extend the left leg out in front of you and bring the right ankle towards your shin.  Avoid placing the ankle on the knee – you never want to push in on the joints. Continue to flex the right foot and think about pressing the knee away from you. Keep the left knee soft to avoid locking it.

Today’s stretch break will get you out of your seat for a side bend and simple chest stretch. When I do this in live programs I often hear “Oh, that feels good.” Always remember to breathe! And remember, stretching is feel-good living.

Note: The Stretch Break series is designed for the average healthy adult. Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have back or shoulder pain/injury these stretches may not be right for you. If you are unsure, please check with your doctor before participating in these exercises

More Feel-Good Living: Continuing to speak up about heart disease
Fellow bloggers Joanna at Fitness and Spice and Sahar from Fat Fighter TV have put out a call for support. I received the following email today from Sahar.  Can you help speak up for heart disease?

On February 12, 2010 the American Heart Association and fitlosophy, inc. are asking bloggers around the globe to participate in Blog Your Heart Out Day! They’re asking us to SPEAK UP about the No. 1 killer of women — heart disease.  You can help by:

• Encouraging your readers to join the Go Red For Women movement at the www.goredforwomen.org
• Challenging your audience to find a community of support, make healthy changes to their diet and exercise, get a heart check up, and speak up to their doctors about having a lipo-protein blood screening.
• Blogging how your life or someone you know has been impacted by heart disease

Effective does not have to be complicated when it comes to stress relief.  In this short video I guide you through a simple neck stretch and a few shoulder rolls – perfect for those who sit a lot or are hunched over the computer.  Time to take a break, stretch and relieve some physical stress and tension.

Please always consult a physician before starting any exercise/movement program. If you have neck or shoulder injury, check with your doctor to be sure these stretches/exercises are appropriate for you.

Admittedly the video is a little longer than a minute (I introduce it as the 1 minute stretch break), nonetheless you’ll be done in no time at all.

Enjoy.