The Pilates, Yoga, and Tai Chi Energy-Boosting Workout

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Circuit 2

1. Tree Pose

Strengthens: Quads, Glutes, Hamstrings; Improves Balance

Stand with feet together, palms together in front of chest.
Place sole of right foot on left inner thigh, as high as you are able; turn right knee out to side.
Keep hands in front (easier) or extend arms overhead, keeping palms together (more challenging).
Bend left knee slightly to work quads.
Hold for 7 to 10 breaths.
Go directly to Single Leg Circle.

2. Single Leg Circle

Strengthens: Glutes, Hamstrings, Inner Thighs; Improves Balance

Remaining on left leg from tree pose, straighten right leg and bring it out in front of you, toes pointed toward floor.
Drawing abs in, make 1 large circle clockwise with your right foot, keeping hips still; exhale 1 full breath to draw the circle.
Keep hands on hips (easier) or arms extended overhead (more challenging).
Reverse direction, drawing a counterclockwise circle.
Do 7 to 10 reps per direction.
Go directly to Rooster Stands on One Leg.

3. Rooster Stands on One Leg

Strengthens: Glutes, Quads, Hamstrings, Shoulders; Stretches Back

Remaining on left leg, bring right leg in front of body, knee bent 90 degrees and thigh parallel to floor.
Slowly bend left knee in a half squat, keeping weight over heel.
As you squat down, bring arms down in front, then out to sides and back above head as you straighten leg.
To make it easier, don't squat down as deeply and keep your right foot closer to floor.
Do 7 to 10 reps.
Repeat the entire series, starting from Tree Pose, on opposite leg.

Next: Circuit 3

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chioma12 wrote:

This is one of my favorite yoga poses...like to take it much higher leaving just a little bit of my middle portion on the floor.

4/22/2013 01:42:16 PM Report Abuse

a3984502 wrote:

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5/9/2012 04:41:28 AM Report Abuse

a3984502 wrote:

A few months ago I started reading Brilliant Yoga: The Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Body and Life by Sarah Sanders. It helped me discover the amazing benefits of yoga: increased flexibility, stress relief, toned muscles, improved sense of health and wellbeing and so many more. It also helped me lose weight! You must check it out: http://goodlifefitness.org/yoga

3/24/2012 03:19:30 AM Report Abuse

a3984502 wrote:

A few months ago I started reading Brilliant Yoga: The Complete Guide to Upgrading Your Body and Life by Sarah Sanders. It helped me discover the amazing benefits of yoga: increased flexibility, stress relief, toned muscles, improved sense of health and wellbeing and so many more. It also helped me lose weight, which is great! If you want to transform your body, mind and spirit and improve your life quality, just visit Sarah's website at: http://tinyurl.com/yogaforyou

2/13/2012 07:02:37 AM Report Abuse

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12/30/2011 03:53:49 PM Report Abuse