A wonderful fellow Tools for Schools blogger and friend, Leslie Scott was asking on twitter ways she can tone her arms without always going to the gym and using free weights. As I am sure many of us can relate working full time jobs, being full-time parents, partners and moving through life at what seems a break necking speed sometimes can be overwhelming. Through in trying to find time to exercise, incorporate proper nutrition and actually finish a load of laundry without it sitting in the washing machine soaking wet for days may seem daunting.
I am here to show you ways you can get to die for toned arms, halter top ready, for the summer months. These yoga postures can be done in your living room during tv commercials, while at the park and the kids are running around, after a morning run, or any other time you happen to have a spare moment to breathe 😉
Yoga Journal (www.yogajournal.com) provides great movement descriptions and pictures online. I recommend that you bookmark them for the next time you are looking for a quick stretch or movement to work a specific area of the body. You can use their sequence page to create sequences of movements and then print it off to add to your workout routine!
Below are my top 6 recommended movements to tone your arms as you prepare to put away the sweaters and embrace the summer weather. Hold each movement for as long as you are comfortable doing so, but don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Most of the time it is our mind, not our body, that tells us it has had enough of a certain movement because change and challenge can be hard mentally. Not only do these movements tone the arms, they also have many other benefits such as challenging the core (abdominals and back muscles).
1. Dolphin Plank http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2463
2. Plank Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/470
3. Side Plank Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/783
4. Four-Limbed Staff Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/469
5. Dolphin Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2462
6. Upward Plank Pose http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/2474
Once you become comfortable completing each movement on its owns then play with the movements flowing from one to another. An example of a flowing sequence may be moving from plank to side plank right side, back to plank and then side plank left side, plank, rolling over to upward plank pose, back to plank and four limbed staff pose 🙂
Remember to take time each day to breathe, and of course to tone your arms up for summer!
Namaste!
Leave a Reply