3 stretches for flexibility
Some of us are born more flexible than others, but we can all benefit from improving our flexibility through active stretches practised regularly. Stretching offers a great number of benefits such as improving circulation and posture, reducing risk of injury, increasing range of motion, bettering physical performance, and allowing the body to use up less energy when active.
Essentially, the more flexible you are, the less stress you’re putting on your body — both on muscles and joints but also energy expenditure. To practice safe stretching that will help us attain these many benefits, we reached out to L.A. yoga instructor Alexis Novak to share and demonstrate her top three stretches for flexibility.
ASSISTED PRASARITA
Practicing a modification of the Prasarita Padottanasana, a wide-legged forwardbend, can help safely ease you into leg flexibility. Stand wide-legged two to three feet from a chair or table and lean forward, bending at the hips. Flatten your back with arms outstretched by your ears, hands resting on the chair or table. “This helps stretch hamstrings without straining your back until you have more flexibility,” explains Novak.
RECLINED FIGURE FOUR
“This is a variation of pigeon and a great way to stretch the hip/gluteal complex without the harass pressure of pigeon,” notes Novak. Lie on your back with your bum about two feet from a wall. Bring your legs up with one bent at a 90-degree angle, foot planted on the wall, and the other bent inward with your ankle resting on the other leg’s thigh.
ASSISTED ANJANEYASANA
“This helps support your hip flexor and knee until you build the strength to stretch the groin and hamstring,” says Novak. Get into a deep lunge, being careful to keep your bent knee in a straight line above the ankle. You can place a block at the front of the back thigh to support it.