hip opener

I love hip opening poses and Double Pigeon might just top my list of faves. This pose allows the hips to open like Pigeon pose, but also simultaneously stretches both glute muscles and the lower back. This pose is great for yoga beginners, runners, bikers, and expectant mothers preparing for labor.

• Start seated in butterfly, then move your right foot slightly away from you (essentially to get it out of the way for a moment).
• Bring your left knee in front of your left hip with you left shin parallel to your pelvis and your knee bent to 90 degrees.
• Using your hand, place your right ankle on your left knee. You want your shins stacked on top of each other. Try to bring them so they're parallel with each other — use the edge of my mat as a guide. You'll know you're doing it right when you gaze down, and see that your legs make a little triangle.
• You may find your top knee to be way high up towards the ceiling — that's OK; it just means that your hips are tight, so just stay where you are and breathe. Working on this pose will help to open those tight hips, so try not to get frustrated. Wherever you are in poses is where you should be.

Learn how to go deeper into the pose when you read more

Some squatting poses in yoga strengthen your quads and booty, and then there are relaxing variations on poses like the Wide Squat, which opens your hips. Here's a two-for-one version of a squat that will stretch your lower back and open your hips. One of my all-time favorite stretches, it feels amazing after a run.

To learn how to do this low squat read more

In between chopping veggies and doing the dishes, it's nice to take a break and stretch while in the kitchen. After doing the Counter Shoulder Stretch, give this hip opener a try. If you hold it for a while, you'll also be working your glutes and quads.

To learn how to do this read more

After a long day of work or a challenging workout, it's nice to take a few quiet minutes to yourself, to do nothing but relax. Some people chill with a bath, a hot cup of tea, or a glass of wine, but I like to do a calming stretch. This is one of my favorites because not only does it relieve tension, it also opens my hips, which tend towards tightness.

• Grab two pillows and place them side-by-side on the floor.
• Lie on your back with your bum on the ground (not on the pillows). Bring your feet together and your knees out to the side. Your legs should be the only part of your body resting on the pillows. Make any adjustments you need to and then release your arms next to your torso.
• Remain here for a few minutes, or as long as you'd like.
• Then slowly lift your knees and bring them together. Hug them into your chest. When you're ready, roll over to one side and sit up.

This is also a good pose for relieving menstrual cramps. It feels even better if you place a vibrating heating pad on your lower belly.

If you've been doing a lot of squats, biking, running, or sitting for long periods, you could use a good hip and inner thigh opener. This stretch I call Frogger might look a little x-rated, but once you get past that, it'll become your new favorite post-workout move. (Though I'd refrain from dropping on the floor in the middle of your office to do this one.) Like Pigeon and Butterfly, this hip opener is intense and most beneficial if you hang out in it for a while — at least a minute.

Music: "Desafinado" by Charlie Byrd and Stan Getz

To find out how to get in and out of this pose, read more

Doing yoga with a partner (your sister, brother, friend, mother, child, or "partner") is an amazing experience, especially with balancing poses. It can be hard to stay up on your own, but when you do it with a partner, you can both support each other. Awwww....

Tree pose is what most people think of when they think of yoga, and it can be kind of tricky. Doing Double Tree allows you to stay up by holding onto your partner, keeping balanced for a while you can really feel the benefits of the pose.

Double Tree is great for working on your posture, balance (obviously) and it also opens your hips. Want to know how to get into it? Then read more

Warmer Spring weather has been motivating me to run, bike, and hike outdoors, and now my hips need a little attention. This relaxing pose is called Half Happy Baby. It's one of my favorite hip openers because you can focus on one hip at a time, and you can control the intensity of the stretch too. This pose also stretches out your lower back (tight backs often come with tight hips and hamstrings).

• Begin lying flat on your back.
• Bend your right knee, placing both hands on your shin, and hug it into your chest - this feels great on your lower back.
• Now reach for your right foot with both hands, pulling your knee to the outside of your right ribs, just below your shoulder. Your hands can control the amount of pressure you need, but as they press down, try to keep your left hip on the mat.
• Stay here as long as you want, but don't forget to do the other side. You want to be "even" happy baby.

That's it. Half Happy Baby pose feels great before and after working out, and I even do it in bed when I first wake up. There's nothing like the feeling of stretching out tight hips and a stiff lower back.

Here's another stretch you can do at your desk that opens and stretches your hips a little bit deeper than Seated Pigeon. Just push your chair back a little before you do it. This might be a stretch better suited for all you who work and/or study at home, but it is such a great hip opener I had to share it with you.

Stand in front of your desk and lift your left knee up. Place your lower left leg on your desk. Try to adjust your shin so that it's parallel with the front end of your desk. Flex your left foot and inch your right foot behind you a few inches to deepen the stretch even more.

To see 2 other variations, read more

Everyone can benefit from opening their hips - whether you are a runner, biker, a mom-to-be, or someone who sits at their desk all day - stretching out your hips can help prevent lower back pain, or knee or hamstring injuries.

Our hips tend to be really tight because our everyday activities require hip strength, but not hip flexibility. Not only does it feel good physically to stretch them out, but it is said that people hold a lot of stress and tension in their hips, so it is emotionally opening as well.

There are tons of great poses and exercises that open your hips and hip flexors (the front of your legs, just below your hip bones). Wide Squat, Dancer, Camel, Airplane (when you're on the top), and Wide-Legged Split are just a few.

But Pigeon pose is my absolute favorite. You can stay in it for a while, and as your hips begin to open, you can adjust the level of intensity to open them even further - it's relaxing yet effective.

• From Downward Facing Dog, step both feet together and bring your right knee forward between your hands so your outer right leg is resting on the mat.
• If your hips are more open, inch your right foot away from you. Make sure your left hip is always pointing down toward the mat. If it begins open up toward the ceiling, draw your right foot back in toward your body.
• Stay here with your hands resting on your right leg or walk your hands out in front of you, allowing your torso to rest over your right knee.
• Hold here, breathing into any areas of tightness and tension for at least five breaths.
• Then place your hands on the mat in front of you, tuck your left toes and step your right foot back. Take a vinyasa, then step your left foot forward and repeat Pigeon on the left side.

Fit's Tips: I like to get into this pose and work each side separately for about five minutes each. Obviously adjust the time if it becomes too intense for you, but the longer you hang out in this pose, the more time you'll allow for your body to settle in and really open up. After doing both sides, you'll be walking differently. Try it and see what I mean.