| By :
George Hutton
If you walk into any exercise gym, the first thing you'll notice is that there are hundreds, if not more, exercise machines, stationary bikes, and other machines designed for both a cardiovascular and a muscular workout. The vast amount of options available can be mind boggling. Some people spend their first month going to the gym just to learn how to use the equipment. Often times a personal trainer spends most of his or her valuable time explaining how to use the machines. It can be extremely frustrating and confusing if you are new to exercising. There is one simple exercise that has been around for many years, and has been known in several different cultures to have almost magical effects on your energy and posture. While this is purely on the physical benefits, many believe this exercise does a great job of opening up your chakras. Most people consider the neck bridge a yoga pose, or at the very least a powerful isometric exercise. Isometric exercises are where you hold the angle of your joints constant while contracting your muscles. Many overlook these simple isometric exercises when starting an exercise plan, but they can be extremely beneficial. The neck bridge will strengthen your lower back, upper back, neck, buttocks, and thighs. It will also give you magnificent posture, and will increase your fat burning metabolism. Ready to learn how? OK, lets go. Start by laying on your back. Be sure that your head is on a soft, non slip surface. Bring your knees up, so your feet are flat on the floor. Slowly lift your midsection off the floor, walking your feet slowly back towards your head as you do so. When your back is arched sufficiently, roll backwards with your head, so that all of your weight is spread between your two feet, and the top of your head. You should be looking directly behind you at this point. The crown of your skull should be on only part of your head touching the floor. Using both hands for balance, slowly walk your feet back toward your head a little bit more, and push your naval directly towards the ceiling. When you get to a comfortable stopping point hold for as long as you can. When you get so where you can hold this position for three or minutes, that's all you need. Doing this every morning will do wonders for your lean muscle mass, which will in turn fire up your metabolism, making fat loss much easier. Some people that have done nothing more than this simple exercise have noticed significant weight loss. If you're reading this, and thinking "There's no way I could do that!", don't worry. You can work up to this a couple of ways. One way is to get one of those big balls, and simply lay over it on your back, creating that arched back position. Holding this position for three or minutes can help to strengthen your back. Once you can lay on a ball for a few minutes, then you can work with a wall. Stand so you are facing away from a wall, about two feet away. Lean backwards, and place your palms on the all, like you would lean back to do a somersault. With your palms placed firmly against the wall, slowly inch your hands down towards the floor, one after the other, until your back is arched, and you are facing the wall. Slowly walk down the wall with your hands until they reach the ground, then carefully collapse onto the ground. Repeat this a few times until it's fairly easy. Now you're ready for the neck bridge. When you finish holding the neck bridge, be sure and be careful when returning to the ground. You don't need to move your feet, just push your knees forward slowly until can safely remove the weight form your head, and collapse carefully back onto the ground. You'll find that doing the neck bridge is a great way to wake up in the morning. It shakes out the kinks, stretches you out, and gets you ready for whatever you need to face that particular day.
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