Cobra stretch

Lie face down and press your chest up to stretch the abs and hip flexors and gently extend the lower back.

How to do it

1. 01Lie face down with your hands under your shoulders, elbows close to your sides and the tops of your feet on the floor.
2. 02Press gently through your hands to lift your chest, keeping your hips and thighs down.
3. 03Draw your shoulders away from your ears, open your chest and only go as high as feels comfortable in your lower back.
4. 04Breathe deeply and steadily, feeling the stretch along your abs.

Common mistakes

• Pressing too high and pinching the lower back — come down lower or rest on your forearms.
• Shrugging the shoulders — pull them down and keep your neck long.