Stretches in Bed - Start Your Day the YOGA Way

Stretches in bed? Getting out of bed some mornings can be a little challenging I know. Perhaps your body is stiff and you just want a few more minutes to rest your aching bones.

Well, you go right ahead and stay there for just a few more minutes. Yep, stay there and do some morning stretches right in the comfort of your own bed.

I’m going to show you eight different exercises and stretches that will help alleviate some of that stiffness and get your blood flowing. You’ll be able to pop out of bed energized and ready for your day.

Feel free to do the exercises in whatever order you choose, however, I do recommend starting with a full-body stretch.

Morning stretches in bed

Full body stretch

Kick off the covers and stretch your arms overhead. (You may need to scoot down in your bed to give you room). Reach down with your feet at the same time to feel your WHOLE body stretching. Take a few deep breaths

BENEFITS

Increases circulation and awareness of your body
Stretches your arms, back, neck, legs, and feet.

Knees to chest

This pose is also referred to as a wind-relieving pose or Energy freeing Pose. Yep, wind-relieving.

Believe me, I’m a yoga instructor and it’s not a complete yoga class unless someone “relieves some wind”. It doesn’t always happen but frequently. No biggie!

We got to let go of that gas somehow. So if you do relieve some WIND, embrace it and count it as a good thing, especially first thing in the morning. Ok. Now on a more serious note.

Bring one knee at a time towards your chest. Take your arms around your legs and give yourself a big hug. (This may be your first and only hug, so make it a good one)!
Rounding the spine, bring your forehead towards your knees.
Rock side to side to massage out the back.

BENEFITS

Stretches the body
Eases Tension in the lower back
Easy to do
Massage the abdominal organs
Improves blood circulation
Reduces bloating
Rebalances your energy
Reduce the hip fat
Relaxes the mind and body
The best pose to relieve gas

Spinal Twist

With your knees still drawn towards your chest, let both knees drop over to one side.
Take the arms straight out to the side, like the letter “T”.
Turn your head in the opposite direction of your knees.
Stay there for several deep breaths.
Repeat on the other side

BENEFITS

Stretches the IT band, glutes, lower back, abs, chest, shoulders, and neck
Improves spinal mobility
Relieves compression at the lower back
Relaxes the body and quiets the mind
Relieves stress

Feet to the sky, ankle circles

Lying on your back, lift your legs up so your feet are directly over your hips. Your knees can be bent.
Circle your ankles several times in one direction and then change directions.
Point and flex your feet a few times.

BENEFITS

Moves any stuck or stagnant fluids that have accumulated in the feet.
Regulates blood pressure
Increases circulation and flexibility of ankles and feet
Soothing to the low back

Hip Circles

Lying on your back, bend both knees and place feet on the mattress.
Take one knee towards your chest and then pull your knee over to the opposite side. (It won’t go very far). You should feel a stretch in the outer side of the leg (IT band).
Now let the knee drop open away from the body. Move the knee back and forth a few times.
Starting with the knee towards the chest, allow the knee to drop out to the side and then slide your foot away from you, straightening the leg out.
Bring the knee up towards your chest, slightly rolling to that side, making a complete circle.
Do two circles on each side.

Sit-ups

My dear friend who just turned 100 years old this month, shared with me that she does 10-15 sit-ups every morning before getting out of bed.

This amazing woman still lives alone, still cooks her own meals, AND exercises every day. She does “Sit and Be Fit” from the television three times a week and always ends each session with the chair yoga sun salutations. On the other days, she does chair yoga.

So if June can do a sit-up at 100 years old, I think we can at least try. She said to me one day “if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it”. She is so RIGHT! (More about June coming up).

If you haven’t done a sit-up in a while, most likely it’s going to be a little difficult or maybe even impossible. NO WORRIES! You can work up to it.

If it’s been a while, start in a seated position.
Hold behind your legs for support and start to roll slowly down to a reclined position.

Then roll back up. (Hold behind the legs if you need to. If that is still too challenging, only roll down halfway).
If that is too easy, let go of your legs and do full sit-ups.
Wanting more of a challenge? Cross your arms over your chest and then do your sit-ups.
Do 10-15 reps in the thought of JUNE. More or less depends on your ability and desire.

BENEFITS

Obviously, improves core strength
Improve hip flexor strength
Increase flexibility
Help lose tummy fat
Tone the ab area
Improve posture

Wrist circles

Reach your arms up over your chest and simply make several circles with your wrists.
Change directions.
Do several reps.
Make a tight fist and then spread your fingers out as far as they’ll go. Open and closed several times.

BENEFITS

Improves circulation
Increases mobility
Reclined Pigeon Pose

Reclined Pigeon Pose

This pose is also referred to as the Eye of the Needle pose. It is a great alternative to an upright pigeon pose, which can be very stressful on the knees and hips.

While on your back and with bent knees, take one foot and place it top of the other thigh. (Just above the knee).
Flex the foot that is on the leg.
That may be enough stretch for some. If not, gently press the knee away from you to increase the hip stretch.
If that is still not giving you the stretch you want: reach your hands behind the leg that is underneath, and pull your leg towards you. (This will increase the stretch in your gluteal muscles).
Hold for a few breaths and repeat on the other side.

BENEFITS

Releases tension in the muscles of the lower back, hips, and hamstrings.

Opens the hips and reduces the symptoms of sciatica.

Enhances blood flow in the lower back

***CONTRAINDICATIONS***

Those suffering from knee injuries or sacroiliac conditions should avoid practicing this pose. If you experience tingling, numbness, or pain in your hips, legs, or lower back, immediately stop.

I hope you’ll take a few minutes and do a few stretches in bed. Trust me, you’ll feel better if you do!

More resources for yoga and stretching

Office yoga

Exercise That Anyone Can Do

Tension Release For Neck & Shoulders

Chair Yoga DVD

Jan Howell Yoga YouTube Station

Start your day the yoga way!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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2 Comments

oceanicyoga
December 5, 2022 at 11:21 am
Thanks for sharing kind of information with us. this is an informative post and it is very useful and knowledgeable. I really enjoyed reading this post.
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- Jan HowellModerator
  December 7, 2022 at 1:55 pm
  Glad you enjoyed it!
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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.