Incorporate this yoga pose into your routine to strengthen the muscles in your lower body while you stretch the sides of torso. Don't be surprised if you find that one side of your body is less flexible than the other side of your body. Give adequate time to the tighter side to get in better balance.

1 Stand on a flat, even surface with your feet approximately 3 1/2 feet apart. Externally rotate your left leg out so your left toes face towards the left. rotate your right toes in slightly. Bend your left leg until the under thigh is parallel to the floor. Keep your frontal hip bones level and facing forward. With your right hand on your hip raise your left arm straight up.

2 Inhale as you slide your right hand down below your right leg, resting it lightly on your outer calf. With your shoulders and hips facing forward, lean your torso to the right. Feel the stretch along the left side of your body. Be sure to maintain a bend in your left knee. Hold this position for 3-6 complete breathes. Return to the start position and repeat on the other side. Do twice on each side.

This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times in the "Good Form" feature of the Health Section. "Good Form" is updated with a new Karen Voight article each Monday.