Are the backs of your legs tight? It's important for the health of your back, hips, and knees to keep your hamstrings flexible so do these five easy stretches to target this commonly tight area. Try them at the end of your next workout, when your muscles are warm. Source: Thinkstock Read more

Whether you click into skis or a snowboard, a strong yet flexible lower body will allow you to cruise down the mountain with control, helping you stay balanced rather than wiping out. This eight-posture lower body sequence focuses on strengthening the core, quads, and glutes, while opening the hamstrings and hips. Photos taken at Evolution Physical Therapy and Yoga Studio, Burlington, VT Read more

Yoga is great during pregnancy. Not only is it good strength and flexibility training, it can help you mentally and physically prepare for labor. Yoga also helps you hone your sense of balance, which is ever changing as your belly grows. Here's a yoga sequence that incorporates standing poses to strengthen your lower body while increasing the flexibility in your hips and hamstrings. Complete the Read more

Squats — you love 'em or you hate 'em, or you love to hate 'em. In any case, they are a simple, effective, and versatile move to have in your workout arsenal. Squats work your lower body, from your calves to your hamstrings, glutes, quads, and lower back. They help prevent injuries that can be caused by imbalance or overuse, and they also help with your balance. And they're easy to do anywhere! Read more

Whether you woke up with a tight lower back, your desk job has you aching, or you overdid it at the gym, here is a relaxing yoga sequence designed specifically to stretch your lower back. Since tight hips, hamstrings, and shoulders can often trigger discomfort and pain, this sequence will also lengthen those tension spots. Do this series of yoga poses any time your back needs a little extra Read more

Doing the splits requires flexible hamstrings and open hips, so if you practice these eight stretches, you'll be on your way to doing full splits in no time. Doing splits regularly will keep your hamstrings and hip flexors limber — great if you're a runner, biker, or skier. Not to mention, it's also a great party trick to impress your friends. Read more

It may not be the safest idea for an expectant momma to train for an ultra-marathon, race through the lake waterskiing, or hit the trails mountain biking, but she can and should still do moderate exercise. During my pregnancy, prenatal yoga was my saving grace. It strengthened my muscles, increased flexibility and balance (which I lost as my belly grew), and helped me mentally and physically Read more

Instead of hitting the snooze button in the morning, I take the extra 10 minutes to stretch. It's a great way to get the juices going in the morning and ease away any stress or tension from the previous day's activity or a funky sleeping position. Since stretching before breaking a sweat is debatable, I keep my morning stretches simple — I don't even have to leave the bed to do them! Try this Read more