Exercise

Side Lunge

Physiotherapist Charissa Fermelis shows you a stretch for your hips and legs.

Written by Charissa Fermelis

How to

  1. Begin with your feet wide apart and hands clasped in front of you. Soften one knee and bend it outwards, lowering yourself into a deep side lunge.
  2. Try to keep the foot of the bent leg flat and grounded into the floor while the other foot flexes with the toes up to the ceiling. The pelvis should remain level with the sitting bones reaching for the floor.
  3. Balancing here may be challenging, so place your hands on the floor if necessary as you sink deeper into the stretch.

Tips

As we get older, our balance tends to decline. Often we find ourselves avoiding certain situations where our balance may be challenged.

You don’t need to drop into a deep lunge on one leg to practise your balance though. Try standing on one leg while brushing your teeth – it’s harder than it looks!

A simple test for balance is to stand on one leg with your eyes closed. Can you stand steady for 30 seconds?

Stretch out your whole body with the be. Stretching Guide.

Written by Charissa Fermelis

Charissa Fermelis is a physiotherapist, Pilates practitioner and Director of Grounded Movement in Melbourne.

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