Side Bend Stretch
A standing lateral bending stretch focusing on lengthening the obliques and side body muscles.
Secondary muscles
How to do it
- Stand or sit tall with spine neutral.
- Raise right arm overhead.
- Slowly bend torso to the left, keeping hips steady.
- Hold stretch for time, feeling the pull in your side.
- Return to start and repeat on the other side.
Form cues
- Keep hips level
- Reach upward first
- Don’t twist
- Bend directly sideways
Common mistakes
- Twisting trunk
- Tilting forward/backward
- Dropping shoulder
Breathing
Exhale as you bend, inhale as you return to upright.
