Doing these simple Pilates exercises each morning will tone your core abdominal muscles and stimulate blood flow to the stomach area, which in turn improves digestion and boosts metabolism.
The hundred
Lie down, arms stretched out at hip level, palms down. Raise shoulders, head, and arms about six inches off the ground. Keeping legs straight, lift them about a foot off the ground, pressing your navel to your spine. Be careful not to arch the lower back.
Holding the position, inhale for a count of five, then exhale for a count of five, pumping arms up and down in a steady rhythm for 10 counts of 10, or 100 arm beats.
Single-leg stretch
Lie down, arms by your side and legs straight. Inhale, lift your head, and pull right knee to chest while keeping left leg stretched straight and about six inches off the floor. Hold for a count of five, then exhale and return legs to floor.
Repeat on the other side.
Criss-cross
Lie down with hands clasped behind your head. Inhale and pull both knees into your chest, keeping elbows flat.
Inhale as you extend your right leg about a foot off the floor. At the same time, reach toward your left knee with your right shoulder. Hold for a count of five, then exhale and release. Repeat on the other side; repeat five times.
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