Heather Glidden demonstrates the scissors.

Photo by Matt Wilson

Today’s exercise strengthens abdominal muscles while also providing a little stretch for the legs: scissors.

NOTE: This exercise shouldn’t be practiced for the first time without supervision if you have ever had a disc injury or spine surgery.

Starting position: Lying on your back, reach both legs up to the ceiling, and curl your head and chest forward. Hold onto your right leg with both hands and slowly lower your left leg, keeping it straight. You should only lower it as far as it will go without pulling your low back forward into an arch. Now check to make sure that your abdominal muscles are engaged to keep your chest in its curl — you shouldn’t be using your grip on your top leg to pull your chest forward. Your leg is not your life raft! You can, however, use your hands to pull the leg toward you for a little stretch.

Exercise: Do two pulses with the legs in the scissor position, gently pulling the legs away from each other with each pulse to increase the stretch. Exhale on each pulse. Then inhale and switch the legs, keeping the chest curled forward as they switch. Repeat the two pulses on the other side. Continue for a total of 16 repetitions (eight on each leg).

Check back tomorrow for an exercise that will help to tone up the buns!

Heather Glidden owns Willow Wellness Studio in downtown Ann Arbor where she teaches Gyrotonic and Pilates and practices massage. She is passionate about helping people to learn more about their bodies. Got a body question? Email her at info@WillowWellnessStudio.com and she will do her best to answer it or find someone who can!