Yoga For Tight Hamstrings

It doesn’t matter how active or inactive we are most of us suffer from tight hamstrings from time to time. It’s really important to stretch your hamstrings before and after any exercise you do, not only will it enhance your practice or workout but it will also help relieve any tension you may feel following your workout.

Here are a few of my favourite yoga poses for stretching out my hamstrings:

Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend)

• Standing in Mountain Pose, lift your arms up and dive forward into a Forward Bend, keeping your back flat and your hands on the floor or wooden block.
• You can keep your legs straight or bend your knees slightly depending on your flexibility and comfort.

Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)

• Start with your feet parallel and 3 feet apart.
• Turn your right foot out to a 90-degree angle and your left foot to a 45- degree angle.
• Raising your arms to shoulder level now extend your right arm and bring your right hand down towards the floor or rest it on a block or brick.
• Raise your left arm straight up towards the ceiling and move your torso over your front thigh.
• Keeping your core engaged turn your head toward the palm of your outstretched hand taking care not to put any pressure on your neck.
• Turn your head to look forward and bring your body beck to vertical and stretch your arms out to shoulder level.
• Relaxing your arms down by your sides bring your feet back to parallel and repeat on other side.

Supta Padangusthasana (Reclined Big Toe)

• Begin by lying on your back.
• Bring your right knee to your chest and hold your big toe between your index finger, middle finger and thumb.
• If you can’t get a good grip on your toe with your fingers and thumb you can use a belt and place it around your foot and extend your leg up towards the ceiling.
• Keeping your left hip on the mat straighten your left foot out by sliding your left heel towards the front of your mat
• Keep your shoulders relaxed hold for 5 to 10 breaths and then repeat on the other side.