Scuba Pro Shares Her Full-Body Stretch
When is scuba instructor Szilvia Gogh at her happiest? When she's suited up, underwater, and making her way among the coral and currents. That's right, the PADI Course Director loves her job -- and has dived all over the world from Antarctica to Indonesia.
And right before she hauls her gear into the water before a long dive, Gogh depends on a yoga move, called the Triangle Pose, to stretch out her muscles. "Triangle pose helps you stretch your whole body," she says. "In particular, where you become tense in your hips, lower back and sides." In addition, the pose (and consequential breathing techniques employed) helps her get into the practice of taking deep, slow breaths. "In scuba diving, the most important rule is to breath deep and never hold your breath!"
Gogh has over 5,000 dives under her belt and she's certified over 1,000 divers including movie stars and members of the LAPD. And if you aren't a diver, that means she hasn't gotten ahold of you yet! "My job is to open a new world to those who sign up," she says. "After learning to scuba dive, people are never the same. It truly changes lives." Whether you're getting limber for activities in the ocean or life on land, the Triangle Pose is the perfect start and open up.
THE MOVE: TRIANGLE POSE
Works: Shoulders, Chest, Abs, Hips, Back, Thighs
Spread legs about 4 feet wide. With your left foot forward, turn your right foot out about 45 degrees. Face forward with your hips squared and open your arms parallel to the floor. Inhale and lift your left arm up straight to the sky and rest your right arm on your right leg. Keeping your arms and legs straight, slide your hand down to your ankle or the floor, depending on your flexibility. Breathe in both sides of the ribs and open your body. While in the pose, imagine your back is pressed against a wall and lean back. Stay in this pose for three deep breaths. Inhale and lift your body and bring your arms back to standing position, where your arms are parallel to the ground. Repeat three times on each side.