Walk this way toward relaxation - includes related information about exercise - adapted from The Walking Magazine - Special Women's Health Issue

Vegetarian Times, July, 1995 by Adele Edwards, Rana Dogar

TRIANGLE POSE

While still in the Warrior pose, place your hands on your hips and look forward. Bring your feet in to three feet apart. Straighten your bent right knee but don't lock it. Keep your weight evenly distributed. Lower your right hand to the crease between your hip and leg. Tilt your pelvis to your right until you feel a stretch in your right inner thigh. Keep your spine long. Press your shoulders out to the sides and back, and keep your elbows relaxed. If you can, slide your right hand down your right leg until it rests on your shin. Reach up with your left arm and turn your head to look beyond it. Keep your weight on your feet, not your right arm. Hold for two to eight breaths and then place your hands on your waist and slowly lift your torso upright. Repeat to other side. Do two to four on each side.

HAMSTRING STRETCH

Begin on your knees with your toes curled under your feet. Place your left foot about two feet in front of you, keeping your hips even. Your right knee should remain directly under your hips, left foot under left knee. Bend forward from the hips until your chest touches your left thigh. Put your fingertips on the ground on either side of your left foot, with fingers spread as wide as possible, palms lifted. Look at your toes. If you are very flexible, you may need to pull your hips back and up to feel a stretch. Lift your toes to intensify the stretch. Hold for two to eight slow breaths. Switch legs and repeat. Repeat three to six times on each leg.

EXTENSION SIDE TWIST

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor, hip-distance apart. Extend your arms out to your sides, palms up. Pressing your feet down, lift your hips slightly and set them down an inch or two to the left. inhale and lift your feet, with your hips on the ground, drawing your knees toward your chest until your back feels lengthened. Exhale and slowly lower both knees to your right, using your hands to keep your balance. Keep going until the side of your right leg touches the ground. (If this is too tough, place a pillow where your knees will land so they won't go as low.) Keep your shoulders squared on the floor. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds. Take a deep breath, then exhale. Use your abdominals to lift your legs to the center. Repeat. Do three to 12 repetitions to each side.