sources (thanks Dad!) - https://youtu.be/i21JaPr-f2c https://youtu.be/0CaKeeNHXL4 * all positions done while seated (thinking a drum throne without back would be best) * all positions repeated 5-10 times # lower-back and hips positions * simple cat-cow * on inhale * lift shoulders up and back * arc back * lift chin * hands move to thighs * on exhale * pull shoulders forward * round back * drop chin * hands move to knees * circles * chest forward then right then back then left * reverse direction * (this is where not having a back on the chair should help) * lean * straddle legs out (wider base) * one hand behind head * elbow out * opposite hand on same-side knee * on exhale * bend at waist and bring elbow towards opposite knee while rotating head * on inhale * return to starting position * leg stretch and bend * extend one leg out * other foot is planted flat * flex extended leg's toes up * lean forward towards toes as far as is comfortable * be sure to NOT allow your back to round over * keep bend at waist and chest lifted * hold position for 5-10 seconds * lean back to seated position * lift extended leg to be parallel to floor (if possible) * try to keep back vertical; don't lean back * hold position * repeat with other leg * figure-4 stretch * //my variation// * place foot on opposite thigh with supporting leg as level as possible * grip toes of raised foot with same-side hand to pull foot towards knee (flexed) * place oppose-side hand on raised knee to push down and assist with rotation * rotate away from raised foot keeping back straight * attempt to look as far behind as possible * hold position 30 seconds * alternate sides until you lose count of reps LOL * //this variation seems to do everything the below does but is easier IMHO// * place one foot on opposite thigh with leg as level as possible * keep foot "flexed" (lifted towards knee) * palms on raised knee to increase stretch in hip * hold position for 5-10 seconds * place opposite hand upon raised knee * extend other hand and arm out and back * increases rotation towards stretched hip and lifted leg side * rotate at waist as you twist as far as is comfortable * hold for 5-10 seconds * repeat on other side * single leg-lift stretch (especially nice for hips after figure-4 stretch) * interlace both hands over one knee * on inhale * lift held knee to chest * some motion in back is normal but try to keep it straight and not lean back * on exhale * lower leg * repeat with other leg # neck and shoulder positions * shoulder roll * roll shoulders in circles * both directions * repeat 10 times * flying arms * flap arms up and down as far as comfortable * repeat 10 times * swinging arms * extend forward and sweep large circles (full shoulder rotation) * while arm is forward grab with opposite arm and pull across chest as far as comfortable * hold position * // can do both swinging arms at once then pull them across individually// * place one hand behind head, elbow bent and lean towards opposite side * increase stretch by grabbing elbow with opposite hand * extended arms with flip * extend arms in front, palms up * raise arms fully * drop arms to front * flip palms * drop arms to sides * raise arms fully * flip palms up * repeat * * shoulder hug with forward bend * grab opposite shoulders and pull into hug * can also bind arms into "eagle pose"? * i found shoulder-hugging more comfortable (no strain on elbows) but "bind arms" gets more shoulder stretch * bend forward at waist as far as is comfortable * hold position * reverse stacking of arms and repeat * breathing cactus * elbows locked at 90 degrees, hands up * on inhale * extend arms fully back * on exhale * bring hands together in front * arm behind neck extension * pull one arm behind; increase stretch by grabbing hand with opposite hand * neck away from first arm to increase stretch between neck and shoulder * hold position * repeat with other arm * neck rolls * move head in large circles to stretch neck muscles on all sides * reverse direction * note breathing and spots of tightness * back twist * griping opposite leg pull waist into rotation as far as is comfortable * placing same-side arm behind back also adds a shoulder stretch to this movement * also can help with twist by pushing into low back * hold position while trying to relax back muscles