Cobra Stretch
Palms press under shoulders to lift the chest.
- Level
- Beginner
- Movement
- Cobra stretch · Lying face down
- Tracks
- Duration
Works
Abdominals Chest Lower Back Back
How to do it
- Lie face down on the floor with legs extended behind you.
- Place your palms flat on the ground directly under your shoulders.
- Press through your hands to lift your chest off the floor.
- Keep your hips and pelvis pressed firmly against the ground.
- Hold the position while breathing deeply into your abdomen.
- Lower your torso slowly back to the starting position.
Common mistakes
- Lifting the hips off the floor instead of keeping them down.
- Shrugging the shoulders up toward the ears.
- Locking the elbows completely straight.
- Holding breath during the extension.
- Tipping the head back and straining the neck.
Safety
Stop immediately if you feel sharp pain or pinching in the lower back.
Avoid this movement if you have a recent spinal injury or herniated disc.
Tips
- Draw your shoulder blades down and away from your ears.
- Focus on lengthening the spine rather than pushing up high.
- Relax your glutes to allow a deeper stretch in the abs.
Details
- Base movement
- Cobra stretch
- Body position
- Lying face down
- Stretch type
- Static (held)
