Yoga Poses to Strengthen Your Thighs

We use our legs a lot! So it’s no wonder that our leg muscles are one of the largest muscles in our body. Sometimes though we don’t realize how much we rely on our legs and are guilty of taking them for granted …

Exercising and strengthening our leg and thigh muscles is very important, it not only helps us increase and maintain bone density but it also reduces the risk of picking up injuries.

I’ll be the first to admit that when it came to working out in the gym leg exercises were my nemesis, I didn’t mind the squats so much but put me anywhere near a leg curl machine or bike and you’d see me running in the opposite direction!

Yoga however has made leg exercises a little more enjoyable and you really do feel the benefits when you’ve given your legs and good workout and let’s face it, who doesn’t want strong, toned legs?

Here are 3 yoga poses that I turn to when I want t strengthen my thighs in particular:

1. Cobbler’s Pose

• From a seated position, bring the soles of your feet together.
• Clasp your hands around the toes of both feet and draw the heels towards the crotch. Both your feet should be on the floor.
• Taking a deep breath inhale, on the exhale fold forward.
• For extra support you can put cushions or a blanket under each knee.

If this is a good enough stretch for you stay here. If you want a deeper stretch and it is comfortable for you, you can fold all the way forward.

2. Bow Pose

• Lie with the front of your body on your mat.
• Rest one side of your head on the floor or rest your forehead on a folded blanket in front of you.
• Placing your chin on the floor bend your knees and take hold of the outer edges of your feet or ankles.
• Keeping your knees hip-distance apart inhale and raise your chin off the floor and look straight in front of you.

Exhale and push the soles of your feet up towards the ceiling lifting your thighs off the floor whilst pressing your belly to the floor and lifting your chest.

3. Wide Leg Forward Bend

• Starting in Mountain Pose take your feet 4 -4.5 feet apart, keeping your feet parallel and your toes pointing forward.
• Inhale and put your hands on hips and hinge forward from your hips.
• Bring your chest forward and flatten your back.
• Place your hands on the floor so they are in line with your shoulders with your arms straight and fingers pointing forward.
• Exhale and lift your head up so you’re looking forward.
• Inhale and bring your hands in line with your feet shoulder width apart and palms on the floor.
• Exhale and bend your arms so they are at right angles.
• Bring your body forward and bring your forehead to the floor.
• Keep your legs straight and the soles of your feet flat on the floor with your weight on your hands and feet and not on your forehead and lift your tailbone towards the ceiling.
• There are variations to this pose. You can put your hands on your hips or if you want to challenge yourself a little further you can place the palms of your hands under your feet and hook your big toes with your fingers, keeping your shoulders away from your ears.