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 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 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 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 Read more

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 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 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 Read more

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 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, Read more