Raised-Leg Sit-Up & Twist
Step 1
Place a bench horizontally in front of you. Start by lying straight on your back on a yoga mat, with your feet elevated on a bench and hands behind your earlobes. Engage your abdominal muscles by drawing your belly button in towards your spine. This is your starting position.
Step 2
Inhale. Exhale. Release your left hand and extend your arm forwards, slowly allowing your head, shoulder blades and torso to lift off the mat. Twist over to the right side of your body and touch the bench immediately next to your right foot. Ensure that it is your abdominals that initiate the movement, and that you do not use your arms to ‘swing’ your torso up.
Step 3
Inhale. Untwist and slowly lower your torso, shoulder blades and head to the mat to return to the starting position.
Step 4
Exhale. Release your right hand and extend your arm forwards, slowly allowing your head, shoulder blades and torso to lift off the mat. Twist over to the left side of your body and touch the bench immediately next to your left foot. Once again, ensure that it is your abdominals that initiate the movement, and that you do not use your arms to ‘swing’ your torso up.
Step 5
Inhale. Untwist and slowly lower your torso, shoulder blades and head to the mat to return to the starting position. Continue alternating between left and right for the specified number of repetitions.
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