10-Minute Stretch Series For Morning Stress Relief

Get your morning started right with this easy to follow 10-minute morning stretch. Presented by Prime Video, the Breathe Fitsugar episode is guided by celebrity trainer and founder of Train like a Gymnast, Danielle Gray. Instead of jumping to your phone, frantically checking text messages and emails, take a more easy approach to your morning. To begin, the session starts with a series of exercises that can be performed simply from the edge of a bed or chair. No equipment is required for this stretching session, but as an alternative, feel free to perform some of the movements on a yoga mat. From alternating side bends to gentle thoracic rotations, the first set of exercises place a particular focus on targeting the upper body. Next, Gray takes viewers through a sequence that will gently loosen up the chest and neck. Starting with your hands behind your back, Gray instructs participants to slowly open up the torso by opening the chest, and then rounding by pushing away. For a joint by joint approach, Gray guides the class through a sequence of slow neck, ankle and wrist rotations.

Next, transitioning down to the lower half of the body, Gray takes viewers into a soft butterfly stretch which aims to alleviate some of the tension built up in the lower back. To show some additional setup options, Gray encourages viewers to find a space on the edge of the bed or a chair, and demonstrates a series of light stretches for the quadriceps. For those looking to deepen the movement, an option is presented to lean back into the stretch. Then, Gray takes things into a soft Figure 4 position, hamstring hinges, and a forward fold before ending with a sequence of easy hip rotations to get the blood flowing — leaving you feeling energized and ready to take on the day. Remembering to make time to prioritize stretching can help to reduce levels of stress and improve overall quality of life. Next time, instead of reaching for the snooze button right away, take on the day with this beginner-friendly stretch session.

Danielle Gray

Top: Beyond Yoga

Pant: Lululemon

Instagram: @daniellegrayfit

Jade Esmeralda, MS, CSCS, is a Staff Writer, Health & Fitness. A life-long martial artist and dancer, Jade has a strong passion for strength & conditioning, sports science, and human performance. She graduated with a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science and Strength and Conditioning from George Washington University.