Cross-Body Reach

The lesson

1. 01

   Feet wide, legs long

   Step the feet about a leg-and-a-half apart, toes turned out a little. Keep both legs straight but not locked — this is a hinge, not a squat.

2. 02

   Hinge, then reach across

   Push the hips back and send one hand down toward the OPPOSITE shin. Crossing the midline is the whole point — a hand to its own foot is a different shape.

3. 03

   The top arm goes straight up

   Reach the other arm at the ceiling and let the chest turn open with it. Follow the top hand with your eyes.

4. 04

   Turn from the ribs

   The rotation happens through the middle of your back, not by wrenching the arms round. Ribs first, arms follow.

5. 05

   Come all the way up between sides

   Rise to standing tall before you go the other way. Rising is half the movement — going straight from one side to the other turns it into a slump.

6. 06

   The test

   One long diagonal line from the top fingertips through the ribs to the opposite heel. If you feel it only in the back of one leg, you have folded instead of turned.