Karen Voight on The Best Way to End a Workout

Fitness guru Karen Voight, writing in the L.A. Times, has some excellent advice about how to bring a workout to a revitalizing, tension-free close:
Lie face down on the floor with your legs straight behind you. Bring
your inner thighs, knees and feet parallel to each other. Place your
hands on either side of your chest, palms down and elbows tucked into
your body. As you inhale, contract your back muscles and slowly raise
your head, shoulders and chest off the floor. Keep your shoulder blades
sliding down away from your ears and your face relaxed. Firmly press
your hips, legs and feet against the floor as you rely on your back
muscles to lift your chest.
Next. without changing your upper-body position, keep your legs straight and
raise them off the floor. Be sure your feet are hip-width apart and do
not rotate out. The soles of your feet should face the ceiling. Feel
the front of your body lengthening while firming your buttock and back
muscles. Lift as high as you can. Hold for three breaths and lower to
the floor to release.
Read more in the L.A. Times.