4 Poses for Instant Back Relief

Check out these four poses from self.com that offer instant relief!

 The Butterfly

• Sit on the floor, bend both knees, and bring your feet together. Using your hands, open your feet up like a book, pressing your knees toward the floor with your elbows. If you want more of a stretch, extend your arms out in front of you.
• Stay here for five breaths.

 The Half Happy Baby

• Lie flat on your back. Bend the left knee and hold onto the outside edge of your flexed foot with your left hand. Keep your left arm on the outside of your leg.
• Gently use your upper body strength to press the left knee to the floor below your armpit. Try not to tense your shoulder or chest, but keep everything relaxed.
• Stay like this for five deep breaths, and then switch legs.
• Then do both legs together for another five breaths.

The Pigeon

• Sit with your right knee bent and your left leg extended straight behind you. If your hips are flexible, inch your right foot away from you. Make sure your left hip is always pointing down toward the mat. If it begins to open up toward the ceiling, draw your right foot back in toward your body.
• Rest your hands on your hips or walk your hands out in front of you, allowing your torso to rest over your right knee.
• Hold here for five breaths, and then repeat Pigeon on the left side.
  Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Bend your right knee and place your knee, shin, and foot on the floor so they're parallel with your pelvis. Bend your left knee and place it on top so your knees, shins, and ankles are stacked. You'll know you're doing it right when you gaze down and see that your legs make a little triangle.
  

The Double Pigeon

• Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you. Bend your right knee and place your knee, shin, and foot on the floor so they're parallel with your pelvis. Bend your left knee and place it on top so your knees, shins, and ankles are stacked. You'll know you're doing it right when you gaze down and see that your legs make a little triangle.
• To make this pose more intense, place your hands in front of your shins and walk them out as far as you can, folding your chest toward your legs.
• Stay here for five breaths, slowly release, and then switch legs so your right knee is on top.

Grilled Chicken Ratatouille

Check out this awesome recipe I found on delish.com!

• 3 tablespoon(s) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon(s) chopped fresh marjoram
• 1 teaspoon(s) salt
• Canola or olive oil cooking spray
• 1 red bell pepper, halved lengthwise, stemmed and seeded
• 1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise
• 4 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/4 pounds), trimmed and tenders removed (see Tips & Techniques))
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon(s) red-wine vinegar

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Directions

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
2. Combine oil, basil, marjoram and salt in a small bowl and reserve 1 tablespoon of the mixture in another small bowl; set aside.
3. Coat both sides of bell pepper, eggplant, zucchini, tomato and onion pieces with cooking spray. Grill the vegetables, turning once, until soft, and charred in spots, about 5 minutes per side for the pepper, 4 minutes per side for the eggplant and zucchini and 3 minutes per side for the tomatoes and onion. As the vegetables finish cooking, place them in a large bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
4. Rub the tablespoon of reserved herb mixture on both sides of chicken and sprinkle with pepper. Grill the chicken until cooked through and no longer pink in the center, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
5. Meanwhile, transfer the grilled vegetables to a cutting board and chop into 1-inch pieces. Return to the bowl and toss with vinegar and the remaining herb mixture. Serve the grilled chicken with the ratatouille.