Up-stretched Arms Posture I: Urdhva Hastottanasana

Stand upright with the feet together. Stretch the arms overhead and interlock the fingers, turning the palms upwards with a twist of the wrists. If, due to weak wrists, you find this hand position painful, interlace the fingers with the palms pointing downwards. Breathing in, stretch up, standing high on tiptoe for six seconds. Lower the heels to the floor, exhaling.

This pose improves posture and balance, increases physical and mental poise, exercises the lungs, strengthens the wrists, calves, and feet, and firms and tones the muscles of the arms, shoulders, chest, back, abdomen, hips, and legs.