Open Your Heart: 10 Heart-Opening Stretches


Updated 02/12/12 10:20 PM · Posted by · 2 comments

Heart-Opening Yoga Stretches

I can hear Madonna in my head singing "Open Your Heart," and in my mind's eye see her doing her yoga moves on stage. Why not celebrate Valentine's Day and American Heart Month with a little bit of yogic love? Physically stretching the muscles in your chest, shoulders, and belly can create a deep emotional release helping you to appreciate and honor of yourself and your loved ones. These poses Read more

Essential Stretches For Tight Hips


Updated 02/08/12 11:58 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 3 comments

Basic Stretches For Tight Hips

Tight hips seem to be a common problem for almost everybody — from runners to cyclists, from deskbound bloggers to triathletes. Give this area a little extra love with this sequence of nine hip-opening stretches to increase your flexibility, reduce discomfort, and prevent injury. Try the series in the order listed here, or pick your faves to incorporate into your workout routine. Read more

From the Community: the Best Exercise You Aren't Doing


Updated 01/23/12 10:28 AM · Posted by Fit Community · 1 comment

Heel and Foot Stretches For Injury Prevention

FitSugar community member (and fitness instructor) livinginthin has shared a how-to on an overlooked exercise that everyone should be doing. Running, cycling, squatting, jumping, curling, crunches, and lunging — you do it all, right? Well, the one move you aren’t doing is probably the one that can keep you doing all those things (and more), pain and injury-free for a lifetime. What is it? Read more

4 Desk Stretches to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension


Updated 11/09/11 4:40 AM · Posted by · 1 comment

Desk Stretches to Relieve Neck and Shoulder Tension

Sitting at a desk for hours on end, staring at your computer screen, and scrunching your shoulders as you type can create a stiff neck and tense shoulders, or even a headache. Take a break and do these four stretches at your desk to offer some stress relief. Behind the Back Neck Stretch: offers a deep stretch in the sides of your neck Sitting on the edge of a sturdy chair, reach both hands Read more

3 Must-Do Yoga Poses For Tight Hips


Updated 11/02/11 3:10 AM · Posted by · 0 comments

Yoga Poses For Tight Hips

Whether you suffer from tight hips because you run, sit at a desk all day, are pregnant, or were just born with oh-so-tight hips, here are three yoga poses you can do every day to increase flexibility and reduce tension in this commonly stiff area. Mix up the sequence each time you do it to keep your muscles guessing. One of my favorite stretches after a run, Lizard will target your hips and hip Read more

Hip Stretches to Reduce Tightness and Back Pain


Updated 10/13/11 2:50 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 0 comments

The Best Hip Stretches

When stretching out the lower body, the hips often get passed over in favor of the calves, quads, and hamstrings. Bad idea! Hip flexors are what help lift the legs while running, which means they are prone to tightness. Even if you don't run, but you sit a lot during the day, you're probably tight in your hips, so get a stretching! There's also an added bonus to incorporating some Pigeon Pose Read more

Hit the Hay and Stretch


Updated 10/11/11 6:22 PM · Posted by FitSugar · 1 comment

Stretches to Do in Bed

Stretching in bed relaxes your body before going to sleep, and it can also be a great way to gently wake you up in the morning. Here are seven stretches you can do in your pajamas. Do all seven if you have time, or just pick a few. They can relieve stress after a busy day, or give your brain some calm time before you have to get up and hit the ground running. Read more

Quick Tip: Stay For the Stretch


Updated 10/11/11 6:22 PM · Posted by · 0 comments

Why You Should Stretch After an Exercise Class

Any good fitness instructor will leave a few minutes at the end of a class for stretching. That's usually when a few rushed students quietly gather up their belongings and dash out the door. If this is you, here's a reminder to stay for the stretch. While you may be thinking about not having to wait in line for the showers or getting a head start on your locker room routine, those few last Read more

Go Splits! 8 Stretches to Get You There


Updated 02/07/12 6:33 AM · Posted by FitSugar · 22 comments

How to Do the Splits

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