Yoga Poses For Your IT Band

by Lizzie Fuhr 1

If you've struggled with IT band issues, I feel your pain. The often-overlooked ailment can come from a variety of exercises or can come from just having a desk job! While working with a foam roller can do wonders, we're also partial to these yoga postures that can really help with your mission as well. Dealing with some IT band issues? Here are four go-to postures to get you started.

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
This mouthful of a pose — you've probably heard it referred to as Pigeon — can help open your hips and hip flexors, but it also offers a bounty of benefits to those tight IT bands. Remember to stay still in Pigeon for an extended period of time (at least 10 breaths) and let it do its magic!

Agnistambhasana
You always tend to hear a lot of deep breaths — and sometimes grunts! — happening when first getting into Agnistambhasana (Double Pigeon)! It's integral to have proper alignment with your legs when they're stacked like logs in order to protect your precious knees.

Keep reading for two more yoga poses to help with tight IT bands.

Parivrtta Trikonasana
Parivrtta Trikonasana (Rotated Triangle) can be a really difficult pose if you're dealing with a tight IT band, but this rotation can do wonders to help open things up.

Marichyasana C
A spinal twist like Marichyasana C (One-Legged Seated Spinal Twist) is an awesome way to work your IT bands and give them some love. If the one-legged stance is too much for you right now, try a sweet reclining spinal twist instead.

Photos courtesy of Jenny Sugar and Thinkstock