Standing Overhead Reach

How to do it

1. Stand tall with your feet hip-width apart and both arms relaxed at your sides.
2. Sweep both arms forward and upward together until they reach overhead.
3. As the arms rise, lift your chest and ease the torso into a mild backward extension without forcing the lower back.
4. Reach both hands upward and breathe steadily while keeping your feet planted and hips controlled.
5. Bring the torso back to neutral as both arms sweep down to your sides.
6. Repeat the bilateral overhead sweep smoothly, using only a comfortable range of extension.

Common mistakes

• Arching sharply through the lower back instead of lifting through the chest.
• Letting one arm lead so the overhead sweep becomes uneven.
• Bending the knees or shifting the hips forward to force more extension.
• Shrugging both shoulders toward the ears at the top of the sweep.