We're finally up to the last wide-legged forward bend pose in Ashtanga Yoga, Wide-Legged Forward Bend D. If you do all four in a row, A, B, C, and D, your hamstrings, hips, and lower back will feel amazingly stretched and open. It's a great series of stretches to do after a run if your lower body gets really tight. Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana D English Translation: Feet Read more

If you love to stretch your hamstrings, then I'm sure you've been loving Wide-Legged Forward Bend A and B. There are technically two more poses in this series in Ashtanga Yoga, and this one called Wide-Legged Forward Bend C is my favorite. Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana C English Translation: Feet Spread Intense Stretch Pose C Also Called: Wide-Legged Forward Bend C If you Read more

If you love stretching your hamstrings and lower back in Wide-Legged Forward Bend A, then you're going to love this pose. You can do A for five breaths, come to stand up, and then go right into five breaths of this pose. It's great to do as a warm-up before a run or bike ride. Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana B English Translation: Feet Spread Intense Stretch Pose B Also Called: Read more

If you're a runner, your hamstrings and lower back must get really tight. Wide-Legged Forward Bends are one of the greatest stretches to do because you can let gravity pull your torso down and you get an amazingly deep stretch. There are actually four versions of this pose in Ashtanga Yoga, and here's the first one. Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana A English Translation: Feet Read more

If you have been doing a lot of walking, running, biking or hiking this summer, chances are your hamstrings could use a good stretch. Here's a sequence of stretches to loosen up your tight hamstrings. Standing Forward Bend with Wrist Release - Place your hands on the mat, palms facing up with your fingertips facing you. Now step your feet onto your palms, pressing your toes into your wrist Read more

Doing yoga with a partner can be so much fun, not to mention you can each get deeper into poses than you could on your own. This partner yoga pose called Double Standing Straddle is great for opening the backs of your hamstrings, stretching out your lower back and neck, and lengthening the spine. Since your head is below your heart, this pose is great for relieving headaches, sinus pressure, and Read more

Wide-Legged Forward Bend wasn't too difficult, right? It's a great way to stretch out your hips and hamstrings. You think you're loose enough to try Wide-Legged Split pose? Give it a try. As you slide your legs further apart, just make sure you go slowly. But wait - before you give this a try, make sure you have a friend ready with a camera to take your picture. Then visit the YOGA CHALLENGE Read more

I love this pose because it really stretches out my hamstrings and lengthens my spine. It's especially great after a run or hike. Read more

In Ashtanga yoga, although there are technically four Wide-Legged Forward Bend poses, sometimes I've been to classes where the instructor throws in a fifth — Wide-Legged Forward Bend E. This pose is great for stretching your hips, hamstrings, and inner thighs. Sanskrit Name: Prasarita Padottanasana E English Translation: Feet Spread Intense Stretch Pose E Also Called: Wide-Legged Read more