Bird Dog

On all fours, extend the opposite arm and leg and hold; the point is that nothing else moves.

Bird Dog, illustrated

How to do it

Setup

On all fours, knees under hips, hands under shoulders, back flat.

Steps

  1. Extend the OPPOSITE arm and leg to one line.
  2. Hold still – nothing tips, nothing rotates.
  3. Return quietly and switch the diagonal.

Common mistakes

Hips tipping as the leg rises: level beats height. Arching the neck up: eyes at the floor. Rushing the switch: the HOLD is the exercise.

Breathing

Exhale extending, inhale returning.