What's not to love about a forward bend? These poses feel so good after a run to lengthen the lower back and hamstrings — just the tight places that need a good stretch. If you liked the variation of the pose known as Big Toe Standing Forward Bend, since you hold your toes to pull yourself more deeply into the pose, then you're going to love this variation for the deeper stretch it provides Read more

This post is dedicated to all on the East Coast. After getting hammered this Winter, I want to give you kudos for all the shoveling you're likely doing. You're burning tons of calories digging out your car and cleaning up the sidewalks. This practical workout will tone your core and buff up your upper body, but all that bending and lifting heavy loads of the white stuff can really do a number on Read more

If you've taken a few yoga classes, you'll find that depending on the instructor and the style of yoga, some poses are easy and relaxing, and some are better saved for those with incredible strength and flexibility. That's part of the beauty of yoga — there's a pose fit for everyone's needs and abilities. Since the backs of our legs are a common tight area, here are three ways you can stretch Read more

Post-workout, the two most common stretches seem to be the standing quad stretch and just about any hamstring stretch, and they are usually done in that order. But if you tend to cramp in the backs of your legs, I highly suggest switching it up. Since the quads, on the front of the thigh, and the hamstrings, on the back, are antagonist, one tends to engage as the other stretches. If you have Read more

I know what you're thinking. But before you start the snickers and jokes about the Kama Sutra and such, let me say that this pose isn't just a prep for some crazy tantric sex technique designed to help you achieve the best orgasm of your life. It is an actual yoga pose that you'd find in the second series of Ashtanga yoga. Its purpose is not to turn you into a pretzel, but rather to deeply Read more

I've been exploring new trails in the woods near my house for hiking and running, and man, are my hamstrings sore from all those steep hills. If the backs of your legs could use a good stretch, try this one that will effectively target that area and challenge your core a bit as you balance during the stretch. To learn how to do this stretch and to also see a more relaxing variation, read Read more

My tight legs crave a good hamstring stretch, and doing the splits is one of my favorite stretches because it's so effective at increasing flexibility in that area. Here's a variation that will stretch the backs of your legs in a more gentle fashion than the splits — you might even find yourself relaxing in this stretch. You can also use this stretch to increase the flexibility of your Read more