Alternating side reach with hip stretch

This reach-and-stretch exercise is for the muscles that run along the outside of your hip, and the movements help your abdominals and your back. This stretch is a great daily stretch to keep you sitting tall and exercise good posture.
Perform this stretch by following the steps below:

1. Stand up tall with your feet together, your abdominals and chest lifted, your shoulders back, and your shoulder blades down.
2. Inhale and as you exhale, step out to the side with your right leg (side lunge), reaching your right arm overhead in the opposite direction. The farther out you step to the side, the more you feel a stretch in your inner thigh, too.
3. Hold the stretch for one deep breath.
4. Inhale and bring your body back to the starting position.
5. Repeat the steps on the left side.
6. Repeat this stretch for six to eight repetitions, alternating sides (as in Step 5).

When you feel you’re ready to add a repetition or two, try doing two sets of six to eight repetitions.
A few do’s and don’ts for this stretch:

• Do keep your stationary leg straight so you feel the stretch in your inner thigh.
• Don’t twist or rotate your hips.
• Don’t bend forward as you lunge to the side.