Tall Monday
An optional Monday opener. March, rolls, Wall Angels, Bodyweight Squats, Wall Push-Ups, Bird Dog, and Shoulder Blade Squeezes. No kit. One pass counts. Skip any week you want.
How this session works
Easy warm-up, then one quiet pass through the strength moves. About forty seconds each. A second pass only if the first felt quiet.
How shows the steps. Do hides them until you're on the move.
Warm-up
1 Marching in Place
60 secondsEasy march. Soft knees. Let the arms swing. No bounce.
Option. Tiny steps count. Hold a chair if balance feels unsure.
Stop if. A joint complains, the breath gets sharp, or the march turns into a stomp.
How
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1
Stand tall with soft knees and relaxed shoulders.
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2
Lift one knee to a comfortable height while swinging the opposite arm forward.
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3
Alternate sides in a steady, rhythmic march.
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4
Keep the torso upright and breathe naturally.
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5
Stay light on your feet — no stomping.
Another way
2 Shoulder Rolls
30 secondsSlow rolls forward, then back. Soft neck.
Option. Smaller rolls if a shoulder feels sticky.
Stop if. A shoulder pinches or the neck shrugs.
How
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1
Stand or sit tall with arms relaxed by your sides.
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2
Lift your shoulders up toward your ears, then roll them back and down in a smooth circle.
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3
Complete several circles, then reverse the direction (forward).
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4
Keep the neck soft and breathe steadily.
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5
Feel the shoulder blades sliding and the upper back waking up.
Another way
3 Arm Circles
30 secondsSmall circles, then a little bigger. Both ways.
Option. Tiny circles count. Skip a direction if a shoulder complains.
Stop if. The shoulder pinches or the neck takes over.
How
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1
Stand tall with arms extended straight out to the sides.
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2
Make small forward circles with your arms.
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3
Continue for 15-20 seconds.
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4
Reverse direction and make backward circles.
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5
Keep shoulders down and core braced.
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6
Breathe steadily.
Another way
Main
4 Wall Angels
40 secondsBack to the wall. Arms slide up and down like a snow angel. Ribs quiet. Elbows and wrists stay near the wall when they can.
Option. Smaller range is a full win. Step a foot forward if the low back wants to arch.
Stop if. A shoulder pinches or the neck shrugs the work.
How
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1
Stand with your back, butt, and head against a wall.
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2
Place your arms in a W shape with elbows at 90 degrees.
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3
Slowly slide your arms up the wall into a Y shape.
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4
Keep your wrists and elbows touching the wall if possible.
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5
Slide back down to the W position.
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6
Move slowly and keep your core braced.
Another way
5 Bodyweight Squats
40 secondsSit the hips back and down, chest tall, then stand. Easy depth is the right depth.
Option. Hold a chair or counter for balance, or only go as low as feels easy.
How
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1
Stand tall with feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly turned out.
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2
Brace your core and keep your chest lifted and shoulders back.
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3
Push your hips back and bend your knees to lower as if sitting back into a chair.
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4
Lower until your thighs are parallel to the ground or as low as feels comfortable.
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5
Drive through your heels to stand back up, squeezing your glutes at the top.
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6
Keep your knees tracking over your toes throughout the movement.
Another way
6 Wall Push-Ups
40 secondsHands on the wall at chest height. Lean in, press away. Body in one line.
Option. Stand closer to the wall to make it easier. Step back a little only when that feels quiet.
Stop if. A wrist, elbow, or shoulder pinches.
How
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1
Stand facing a wall with feet hip-width apart.
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2
Place hands on the wall at chest height, shoulder-width apart.
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3
Lean your chest toward the wall by bending your elbows.
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Keep your body in a straight line.
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Push back to starting position.
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Breathe in as you lean, out as you push.
Another way
7 Bird-Dog
40 secondsOpposite arm and leg reach long, then switch. Slow beats wobbly.
Option. Keep both knees down and only slide one heel back if the full reach is a lot today.
How
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1
Start on all fours with hands under shoulders and knees under hips.
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Brace your core and keep your back flat.
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3
Slowly extend one arm forward and the opposite leg back.
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4
Keep hips level and back flat.
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5
Hold briefly then return to start.
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6
Alternate sides with smooth control.
Another way
8 Shoulder Blade Squeezes
30 secondsStand tall. Pinch the shoulder blades, then let go. Shoulders stay down.
Option. A tiny squeeze counts. Skip any long hold if it makes you brace.
Stop if. The neck takes over or a shoulder pinches.
How
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1
Sit or stand tall with arms relaxed by your sides.
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2
Squeeze your shoulder blades together as if pinching a pencil.
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3
Hold for three seconds.
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4
Release slowly.
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5
Keep shoulders down away from your ears.
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6
Repeat with smooth rhythm.
Another way
Breathe between moves. Shorten or skip anything that does not feel good today. One pass is a complete session.
Move with good form and listen to your body. If you have a medical condition, an injury, or any concerns, talk to your doctor before you start.