If stiff, restricted hips are holding you again, it’s time to revamp your post-run routine. These 4 hip-opening yoga poses provide a dynamic mixture of flexibility and rest, serving to you reclaim your vary of movement whereas easing any post-run soreness. Whether or not you add them to your cool-down or take pleasure in all of them in a feel-good stretch session, these strikes will work wonders to your stride. New to yoga? No sweat—every stretch comes with beginner-friendly modifications that can assist you ease into the circulation.
Lizard pose with quad stretch
This stretch targets the hip flexors, hip rotators and quads for a whole post-run launch.
Start in a low lunge, together with your proper foot ahead and each arms planted on the mat, inside your proper foot.
Drop your again knee to the bottom, and gently bend your left knee, reaching again to seize your left foot together with your proper hand.
Maintain for 30 seconds, then change sides.
Modification: Hold the again knee on the bottom and skip the foot seize to cut back depth.
Saddle pose
A deep hip flexor stretch that additionally targets the decrease again and quadriceps.
Kneel together with your knees hip-width aside, slowly reducing to a seated place.
Keep upright in the event you really feel sufficient of a stretch right here. If you wish to go deeper, lean again in your arms, decrease down onto your elbows or come all the best way down onto your again.
Maintain for 1-2 minutes.
Modification: Place a yoga block or bolster beneath your hips to raise your seat and scale back pressure on the knees and again.
Half frog pose
This stretch targets the inside thighs, groin and hip adductors.
Lie face down on the mat, and convey gently your proper knee out to the aspect, bending at a 90-degree angle,
Maintaining your left leg prolonged straight again. To deepen the stretch increase your self onto your elbows.
Maintain for 1-2 minutes and change sides.
Modification: Use a folded towel or yoga block beneath your chest to cut back stress in your hips, and ease into the stretch.
Reclining bound-angle pose
This pose stretches the inside thighs, hips, and groin space, making it particularly helpful for runners coping with tight hip muscle groups. It encourages rest and might alleviate tightness within the hips and decrease again.
Start sitting on the ground together with your knees bent and the soles of your toes collectively.
Slowly decrease your self down onto your again, permitting your knees to open out to the edges (you may place a rolled-up blanket or yoga bolster beneath your again, alongside your backbone, for help if wanted).
Loosen up your arms by your sides or place your arms in your stomach, and breathe deeply. Goal to remain on this pose for a number of minutes, permitting your hips to melt into the stretch and really feel open.
Modification: Place yoga blocks or a rolled-up blanket beneath every knee for further help, permitting the hips to open extra progressively.
Hungry for extra? Do that hip-melting session with Canadian yoga teacher Kassandra Reinhardt.
Keep in mind, it’s okay to really feel a stretch in every of those poses, however in the event you expertise any ache or numbness, alter your place or come out of the pose completely. Listening to your physique is essential. In the event you’re uncertain whether or not yoga is appropriate for you, particularly when you have a historical past of accidents, contemplate checking in with a sports activities medication practitioner earlier than getting began; a little bit of knowledgeable steerage may help make sure you’re stretching safely and successfully.
