Give Yourself Some Breathing Room With This Yoga Posture
Expand the capacity of your lungs with this yoga posture! This move helps to expand the space between each of the ribs, giving the lungs more room to expand as you inhale. Simply put, your lungs will become more 'breathing-efficient'. This move will also give your back a good stretch; increasing overall flexibility in this area of the body. Step One On a mat or carpeted surface, get down on all fours with your palms facing forward. Now placing your weight on your palms, slowly extend your right leg outward to the right side. 
Make sure that your right knee and toes are pointing up toward the ceiling. Slowly raise your torso and arms straight up, so that your hands and fingertips are also pointing toward the ceiling. (See figure 1) Your abs should be drawn in and your tail-bone tucked under. This makes the move less stressful on the lower back. As you reach up through the arms, inhale deeply.
As you exhale, bend sideways from the waist, so that your torso bends to the right over your right leg. (See Drawing 2) 
Try to keep each side of your torso evenly stretched to the right as you let your right hand rest on your right thigh or shin, whichever is most comfortable for you. Now stretch your left arm up past your head so that your left palm is facing the floor and your fingertips are facing right, the same as your right leg. Your left upper arm should be almost resting on your left ear, with your head and eyes facing forward. Breathe in and out deeply, holding this position for a count of 15. Then on your next inward breath, lift your carriage slowly back upright so that your fingers point toward the floor and your head toward the ceiling. Repeat this set of movements on the opposite side.
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