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Strike a Yoga Pose: Head to Knee A

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:50:03 -0800

Looking to loosen up inflexible hips and hamstrings? Here's a yoga pose that's a popular stretch among runners because it'll target the oh-so-tight backs of the legs.

Sanskrit Name: Janu Sirsasana A
English Translation: Head to Knee Pose A
Also Called: Flag

To learn how to do this forward bend variation read more.

Begin in a seated position with both legs straight out in front of you.
Bend your right knee and place the sole of your foot against your inner thigh, pulling your heel as close to your body as you can.
Sit up nice and tall, lengthening through the spine and keeping your left leg straight. Then fold your torso over your left leg. Rest your hands on the floor on either side of your leg or on your shin. Or if your hamstrings and hips are more flexible, reach for your foot - the right hand holds the left wrist.
Rest your forehead on your leg and stay here for five breaths, being sure to continue lengthening the spine as you relax the shoulders away from your ears.
Then release your hands, sit up, and either take a vinyasa to switch sides, or just switch sides from here. This time the left knee will be bent, and the left hand will hold the right wrist.

Have any burning questions about yoga? Then post them to the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Intense Side Stretch

FitSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:26 -0800

For all you runners and bikers with tight hamstrings, this is the pose for you. It's one of my favorite stretches to target the backs of the legs, but it'll also give you a nice stretch on the sides of your body, as well as your chest and shoulders.

Sanskrit Name: Parsvottanasana
English Translation: Intense Side Stretch Pose
Also Called: Scissor

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Stand with both feet together in Tadasana. Step your left foot directly behind you about two feet.
Bring your arms behind you, bend your elbows and bring your palms together in reverse Namaste position (reverse prayer). Raise your hands up between your shoulder blades as far as you can. Pull your elbows behind you to press your palms together firmly.

Inhale to lengthen your spine, and as you exhale, fold at your waist. Keep both legs straight and lower your torso as far as you can, eventually resting it on your right leg. If it's easy, touch your chin or forehead to your shin.
Hold here for five deep breaths, then engage your leg muscles and inhale to lift your torso up. Repeat this pose with the left leg forward.

Have any burning questions about yoga? Then post them to the Yoga Stretch and Tell group.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Quarter Dog

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:00:51 -0700

If you love the way Downward Facing Dog stretches out your hamstrings, calves, and lower back, but don't love the wrist pain the pose can cause, then here's a variation to try. With your forearms on the ground, the quarter dog variation takes the weight out of your hands and wrists. Even though this pose seems relaxing, it's not as easy as it looks. This pose will not only intensely stretch the backs of your legs, but it's also a workout for your arms, shoulders, and upper back.

Sanskrit Name: Catur Svanasana
English Translation: Quarter Dog Pose
Also Called: Dolphin or Puppy

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Begin on your hands and knees. Your wrists should be underneath your shoulders, and your knees underneath your hips.
Inhale as you tuck your toes under your heels. Then exhale to lift your hips, coming into Downward Facing Dog.
Spread your fingers wide and lower your forearms to the mat. Check to make sure you're creating a straight line between your elbows and middle fingers. Try to straighten your legs and lower your heels toward the ground as much as you can. Your heels should be slightly wider than your toes, so the outside edges of your feet are parallel with the outside edges of the mat.
Relax your head between your arms, and direct your gaze through your legs or up toward your belly button. Hold for five breaths.

Strike a Yoga Pose: Split

FitSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:30:00 -0700

Not too many people are born being able to do a full split, so after you try these stretches to help open your hamstrings and hips, give this pose a try.

Sanskrit Name: Hanumanasana
English Translation: Monkey Pose
Also Called: Split

For step-by-step instructions read more.

From Downward Facing Dog, step your right foot forward as if you're coming into Warrior 1, but leave your hands on the floor. Lower your left knee to the mat and point your toes behind you. Shift your hips back so you can straighten your front leg. Flex your foot.
Slowly slide your right heel away form you. Lower your hips as far as you can while keeping your right leg straight. It's OK if you can't go down very far. Don't bend your right knee to get lower because it will take the stretch out of your hamstrings.
Stay here for five deep breaths. If your hips are on the floor, straighten your arms up above you and gaze at your palms. After five, place your hands on the floor and slide your right heel in toward your body, step it back and come into Downward Facing Dog. Then repeat this pose with the left leg forward.

Chef Workout: Elevated Hamstring Stretch

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:30:00 -0700

In between cooking and doing dishes, I love to take a few minutes to stretch in the kitchen. Here's a move that will stretch your hamstrings and lower back. You'll need a stool for this stretch.

To learn how to do this stretch, read more.

Stand about three feet behind a stool. Prop your right heel on it and keep both legs straight.
Hinge at your hips and slowly fold your belly toward your right thigh. Remember to draw your head away from your hips to lengthen your spine. Lower your torso as much as you can while maintaining a straight back and legs.
Hold for 30 seconds, relaxing your shoulders away from your ears and breathing deeply.
Then stand up, step your right foot off the stool, and do this stretch with the left leg elevated.

Partner Yoga Pose: Forward Bend Lounge

FitSugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Tight hamstrings and lower backs are common complaints among runners, office workers, and people who are on their feet all day. Doing forward bends regularly can help tremendously, but doing them on your own just isn't as effective as when you can get some help. I've already showed you how to do Seated Butterfly Lunge and Seated Straddle Lounge, so here's another variation to try. The person on the bottom gets an amazing stretch for the backs of their legs, and the person on top feels an incredible lengthening in their spine.

So grab a friend and read more.

Partner #1 sits on the ground with his legs extended straight out in front of him. He folds forward as far as he can, coming into a Seated Forward Bend.
Partner #2 gently sits down on Partner #1's sacrum at the base of his spine (aka back of pelvis), and begins to lie down on Partner #1's back. Partner #2 should move slowly because this is a really intense stretch for Partner #2's hamstrings. Partner #2 can stay here (as in the picture shown to the right), or if it feels OK, she can extend her arms overhead and straighten her legs.
Both partners talk to each other, making small adjustments if necessary. When either partner is ready to get out of the pose, Partner #2 lifts her torso and sits up.
Then each partner switches roles.

Source

Partner Yoga Pose: Twisting Seated Straddle

FitSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:30:00 -0700

When I need a good hamstring stretch, Seated Straddle is one of my faves. To feel an even deeper stretch in the backs of my legs, I like to do this pose with a friend as in Seated Straddle Lounge. If you liked that one, here's another variation to try. This partner yoga pose, Twisting Seated Straddle, is also an incredible spinal twist.

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Both partners face each other in a Seated Straddle with their legs wide and feet touching. If one partner is shorter or less flexible than the other, she can place her feet on her partner's inside ankles.
Both partners sit up nice and tall, elongating their spines. They actively press the backs of their knees to the floor to increase the stretch in their hamstrings.
Then they hold right hands and lean over to their right leg, holding their right toes with their left hand. To deepen the twist, they can walk their hand up their partner's arm, holding onto the forearm or elbow. They stay here for at least five deep breaths, gazing up toward the ceiling, and working on drawing their upper shoulder behind then to bring the stretch into their chests.
Then they gently release and switch sides.

Source

Strike a Yoga Pose: Standing Split

FitSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If you're looking for an effective way to stretch the backs of your legs and hips, give Standing Split a try. The best thing about this pose is that you can focus on one leg at a time. It's also a great pose to work on if you want to strengthen your sense of balance. Since your head is below your heart in this pose, you'll feel energized and alert afterward.

Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana
English Translation: One Foot Extended Upwards Pose
Also Called: Standing Split

To learn how to do this pose read more.

Begin standing in Mountain pose. Take a deep breath in, and as you exhale, fold forward from the waist. Bring both hands to the floor and work on straightening both legs.
When you're ready, inhale and shift weight into your right foot and your palms. Then lift the left leg up as high as you can. You can bend the left knee if you like, or work on straightening the leg. Tuck your chin and draw your torso toward your right leg, breathing deeply and relaxing the shoulders away from the ears.
Stay here for five breaths. Then return your left leg to the floor. Stay here for a complete breath and then do this pose with the left foot on the floor.

Stretch It: Legs Up the Wall

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Ahh, I feel relaxed just looking at this picture. If you feel stressed out, depressed, or have a splitting headache, give this a try. Not only will it instill a sense of calmness, but it'll give you a slight release in your lower back and a stretch for your hamstrings. You'll need an uncluttered space at a wall and a bolster, blanket, or pillow.

To find out how to do this read more.

Place a folded bolster, blanket, or pillow against a wall.
Sit down as close as you can to the wall, next to the blanket. Lie down on your back, place your feet on the wall with your knees bent, and scoot your body over so that your bottom and lower back are on the blanket.
You want to adjust your body so that your bum is touching the wall, and then place your feet straight up, resting your heels on the wall. You can keep your arms by your sides, or by your head (this position will stretch your shoulders).
Close you eyes and allow your entire body to relax, feeling gravity pulling you down as the wall and blanket support you.
Hold like this for several minutes or longer. This is a wonderful stretch to hang out in for a while. Once you've had enough, walk your feet down the wall. Roll your body over to one side with your knees bent, and rest your head on the inside of your arm, staying like this in fetal position for a minute or so. Then you can roll up onto your knees and come to stand up.

I love to do this relaxing stretch after a long run or hike. Try it! You'll like it.

5 Easy Hamstring Stretches

FitSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Are the backs of your legs tight? It is important for the health of your back, hips and knees to keep your hamstrings flexible. Here are five easy stretches for you to use as you lengthen the muscles on the back of your thighs. Try them at the end of your next workout, when your muscles are warm.

Source

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