Cobra side Ab stretch

Category

Stretching

Difficulty

Beginner

Equipment

Yoga Mat

Primary muscles

Pectoralis Major, Deltoids, Triceps Brachii

Secondary muscles

Trapezius, Erector Spinae

How to do it

1. Begin by lying face down on the floor with your legs extended straight behind you and your hands placed at shoulder level, palms flat on the floor.
2. Press through your palms to lift your chest off the floor, straightening your arms to come into the cobra position, keeping your hips on the floor.
3. From the cobra position, slowly rotate your torso to the right, looking over your right shoulder, and hold the stretch for a moment, feeling the stretch along the left side of your abdomen. Return to the center cobra position.
4. Slowly rotate your torso to the left, looking over your left shoulder, and hold the stretch, feeling the stretch along the right side of your abdomen. Return to the center cobra position. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Form tips

• Focus on using your chest, shoulders, and triceps to push your body up while keeping your elbows close to your sides.
• Perform the movement with control to maximize muscle activation and prevent injury.
• Ensure your shoulders remain down and away from your ears to avoid unnecessary strain.
• Breathe steadily throughout the exercise, exhaling as you push up and lift your chest, and inhaling as you lower yourself and rotate.
• Keep your hips on the floor during the cobra and side stretches to maintain proper form and maximize the stretch in your lower back and sides.