When you book your boudoir session, these 6 stretches are PERFECT for maximizing your flexibility and looking sexy in your pictures. My clients will often say, "Wow, I didn't realize what a work-out that was going to be," when their session is over, and I always joke that exercise is just another advantage of boudoir.

But really. I'll be helping you pose in a hundred different ways that are flattering for your body, and the more flexible you are, the more poses you'll be able to do with ease.

I asked Tova Eastman, my amazing personal trainer, what she thinks are the most important stretches that my clients should do leading up to their session. If I learned anything from her over the past 6 months, stretching correctly and often is at the top of the list. I can almost hear her voice telling me to count to 30 before going to the next stretch!

"Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, and we need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. That puts you at risk for joint pain, strains, and muscle damage." -Harvard.edu

Beyond boudoir sessions, gaining flexibility and mobility through stretching can truly improve your quality of life!

So drink a glass of water, get some comfy pants on, and let's stretch!

1. Cat-cow

For spine flexibility.

Cat-cow will help you in poses where you arch your back. I happen to be a big fan of back arching...

2. Standing Lower Back Twist

Deep stretch for your Latissimus Dorsi.

During any kind of back arching pose, this stretch is going to help you avoid lower back strain.

3. Tree-Pose

For opening up your chest and helping with posture.

Tree-Pose is going to give you a beautiful, strong, and poised look for chest opening and over the shoulder poses.

4. Spinal Twist

For lower back flexibility and mobility.

In addition to overall flexibility, this stretch helps a lot with twisting poses that can look really cool in boudoir sessions...

5. Downward Facing Dog

Deep calf and hamstring stretch (along with the entire back of your body).

Downward facing dog is great for any leg extending or bending over poses.

6. Pigeon Pose

Hip opener for hip flexibility and mobility.

Pigeon Pose is going to give you flexibility in your hips and glutes. No explanation needed!

If you have any questions about these stretches or what other things you can do to prepare for your boudoir session, do not hesitate to shoot me an e-mail at rebecca@rebeccasigala.com!

A special thank you to the incredible Tova Eastman at Ignite Fitness Training.