Clara Leung D.C.

Say what??! Don't worry about it, just make sure you do this stretch before and after nursing or holding your baby for long stretches.  Tuck your thumb in, and angle your wrist downwards as though you're pouring a jug of water. Hold it for 30 seconds per side.

Hold this for 30 seconds, anytime you've been holding that big baby of yours or typing away and posting pics on Instagram for too long. Prolonged tension in these muscles can lead to tennis elbow.

Ditto with the last stretch.  And prolonged tension in this group of muscles can lead to golfer's elbow.

You should feel this from your shoulder blade to the top of your neck. Hold for 30 seconds.  Try stretching in a shower while conditioning your hair!

Same stretch, different view. Hold for 30 seconds.

Ease into this one and you should feel it anywhere from the top of your shoulder to your ear.  This can ease and prevent headaches.  Hold for 30 seconds, as often as you can.

If you've never sat at a desk or in front of a computer before, skip this one.  That's right.  YOU NEED TO STRETCH YOUR PECS.  Especially now that you're carrying your 10 lb bundle of joy around all day.  Also, you're likely carrying him with one arm more than the other, so give some extra love to that side.  Hold for 30 seconds.  Turning your head away from your stretching arm will also give you a stretch up the front of your neck.

Often called the TVA, this is your deepest layer of ab muscle and it's crucial for core strength, spine stability, and, not that we care, flat tummies.  A common affliction during pregnancy and labouring is Diastasis Recti, where the midline of abdominal muscles splits.  Strengthening the TVA is necessary for healing.  There are many exercises to avoid with this condition (planks and crunches, for example) so please reach out for some advice. 

Additional information to come...

Additional information to come.

Additional information to come.

Meet your new second best friend. (Your real best friend was likely the one who spent a fortune on a gorgeous outfit for your baby that you would never spend yourself and it has now become your first pick outfit for outings and photo shoots.)

Find a muscle that's tight and roll it using a firm tennis ball, Acu ball or a classy floor hockey ball like mine.  Just avoid rolling over your spine.