This movement is adapted from Thomas Hanna’s Somatics.
Begin in a comfortable semi-supine position on the floor. Allow yourself to be supported by the surface underneath you for a breath or two, releasing into gravity. For this exercise, the feet might be a bit farther apart and the arms spread a bit wider than usual.
On an inhale, drop the knees to one side. Look away from the knees while rotating the arms in opposite directions. One arm should rotate down the floor in the direction of your dropped knees, while the other arm rotates up the floor in the direction you’re looking. Release back toward center on the exhalation. Repeat on the other side.
As you alternate sides, allow the movement to be luxurious and pleasurable as the breath expands.
Take a few moments at the end of the exercise to feel your breath at rest, sensing any shift in your awareness of your spine, hips, shoulders, or ribs. Try to take this awareness with you into the next thing you do.