8 moves to help you look and feel younger

Anti-Aging Yoga

The Secret Age-Eraser

Turn back the clock with yoga

Perform these age-erasing yoga poses in the order listed, 3 times a week for maximum benefits.

PROPS: You'll need several pillows, a wall, and a nonslip surface.

BREATHING: Use your breath to lead you into and out of each yoga pose, moving at a relaxed pace. Breathe deeply through your nose, imagining you have a wide elastic band around your waist. When you inhale, expand the band in all directions--front, sides, and back. As you exhale, pull the band back in.

Moving Meditation

Warm up your joints and muscles

A. Stand with your feet together, toes forward, and knees slightly bent. Relax your arms at your sides, palms in. Lift your chest and roll your shoulders back and down. Look straight ahead and breathe deeply for 1 minute.

B. Inhale and raise your arms out to the side (palms up) until overhead. Exhale and bend forward from the hips, keeping your arms extended in front of you as your hands reach down to touch the shins, feet, or floor (as shown). Hold for 15 seconds. Inhale and rise, bringing your arms overhead; exhale and lower arms to sides. Repeat B three times.

Warrior II

Strengthens and stretches legs, glutes, abs, and arms

Stand with your feet apart, right foot pointing to side and left foot turned in slightly. Keep your torso facing forward. Exhale and bend your right knee. Inhale and raise your arms out to the side. Turn your head to the right and hold for 15 to 30 seconds.

Warrior II and Side Angle

Strengthens and stretches legs, glutes, abs, and arms

From Warrior II position, exhale and place your right forearm on your right thigh and raise your left arm overhead. Look toward the sky and hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Inhale and raise back to Warrior II pose. Exhale and straighten your right leg.

Repeat Warrior II and Side Angle on the left side.

Tree

Improves balance; strengthens feet, legs, glutes, and abs

Stand with your feet together, toes forward. Place the sole of your right foot on the inside of your left thigh, your calf (not on the knee joint) or the inside of your ankle, with the toes of your right foot lightly touching the floor. Place your hands in prayer position in front of your chest and look straight ahead. Hold for 15 seconds.

Inhale and extend arms overhead, keeping your hands together (or keep your hands in front of your chest). Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Exhale and lower your arms and leg. Repeat, balancing on the right leg.

Sphinx and Child's Pose

Improves posture; strengthens and stretches back, chest, and arms

A. For Sphinx: Lie facedown on a mat, with your legs together, elbows tucked along sides and forearms and hands pointing forward. Inhale and press your palms and forearms down as you lift your chest and head, drawing your ears away from your shoulders, keeping you elbows under your shoulders (as shown). Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Exhale and relax down to the mat. Repeat.

B. For Child's Pose: Slide your hands beneath shoulders. Push up, bend knees, and sit back on your heels, lowering your chest to your thighs and your head toward the floor. Keep your arms stretched out in front (not pictured). Hold for 30 to 60 seconds.

Seated Twist

Improves flexibility; releases tension in spine and hips

Sit cross-legged with your arms extended so your fingertips touch the mat on either side of your hips. Inhale, lengthening your spine and lifting your arms overhead. Exhale and twist gently to the right, lower your left hand to your outer right thigh and your right hand behind you. Look over your right shoulder. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds.

With each inhalation, lengthen the spine; with each exhalation, twist a little farther. On an exhalation, return to the center, and repeat, twisting to the left.

Improves circulation; revives tired, cramped feet and legs

Place one or two pillows next to a wall. Carefully position yourself so hips are on the pillows and your legs are resting against the wall. Your feet should be about 12 inches apart and relaxed. Angle your arms out to the sides, palms up. Your hips should be slightly higher than your chest (if not, use another pillow). Close your eyes and breathe deeply for at least 1 minute.

*Skip this pose if you are menstruating or have high blood pressure, glaucoma, or a neck injury.

Reclining Angle

Reduces fatigue; relieves menstrual cramps

Sit on a mat with your knees bent, feet flat. Place the short side of one or two pillows about an inch behind your tailbone, and one pillow on either side of your knees. Lower your knees so the soles of your feet are together and each knee is on a pillow.

Using your hands for support, lie back so your spine and head are on a pillow. Angle your arms out to the sides, palms up. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for at least 1 minute.

Namaste,

Eve :-)