Snow Angels

  • Lie on your back. Use head support if it feels better, depending on mid back tightness and head position.

  • Place your hands flat on the floor/mat up by your ears up then slide your arms overhead and back down as though you are making a snow angel.

  • This exercise is gentle. Do not force it, and do not do this if it’s painful. It should feel good, like a nice chest opening movement.

  • Roll slightly to the side and do one arm at a time if it feels too tight to do both arms.

  • You can also start by connecting the reach with an exhale to improve posture, connect to your core, and get the mid back moving.

  • Do about 10 total or 10 per side.

Cat/Cow

  • Start on your hands and knees. Your hands should be directly under your shoulders, and your knees directly under your hips.

  • Inhale and look up while slowly arching your spine, feeling each segment of your spine move.

  • Exhale and look down while slowly rounding your spine.

  • Focus on the areas that feel stiff and try to get them to move a little more than the parts that easily move.

Things to watch out for:

  • Earlier postpartum this might not feel as comfortable. If you have any discomfort in pelvic area or abdomen (particularly if you had a c-section), or any increase in bleeding then do not do this move until about 3-4 weeks postpartum, or until it feels like a gentle stretch.

  • Start by going from a more neutral to rounded position, and not going as deeply into that arched position. See video.

Side-lying Thoracic Mobility

Lie on your left side with your knees and hips bent to 90 degrees, place a pillow or yoga block between your thighs.

  • Place your right hand behind your head with elbow bent

  • Gently squeeze the pillow or yoga block

  • Rotate towards your right until you feel a gentle stretch in your mid back

  • Hold for 3 breaths and then return to your starting position

  • Repeat 4 times on each side