Did you know that we hold stress in our hips? Neither did I until I started watching Gaiam’s My Yoga TV. That’s why hip-opening yoga is so important for runners, especially. Have you gotten your free 30-day subscription to Gaiam TV from Stayfree yet? If not, do it, (I told you how here) I promise you’ll be so glad you did.
If you hang around here with me, you know distance running has been my jam since back in 2007 when I ran my first half and full marathons. Truth be told, running just makes me feel great. Energized and accomplished, like I’m capable of anything.
Running even helps me feel better at “that” time of the month. Less lethargic and bloated. More even-keeled and confident.
But the harder I train, the tighter my muscles get. Tight hips and hamstrings create imbalances that lead to injury if not addressed. I’ve been there. Hip-opening yoga poses were instrumental for me.
So today I’m sharing some of my favorite yoga poses to open up those uptight, stressed-out hips.
Butterfly. There was a day I could get my knees all the way to the floor. Today is not that day.
Pigeon. I do this one religiously after every run.
Double Pigeon. This one can be challenging. For a deeper stretch, lean over and reach your hands out to the floor in front of you.
Thread the Needle. This feels soooo great after a run.
Half Squat. I think any kind of squat does a body good. The half squat adds a little balance challenge too.
Lizard pose. This may be my favorite. Shhhh.
Try these poses and let me know what you think. And if you haven’t gotten your free subscription to Gaiam TV from Stayfree, don’t delay. Offer ends March 12.
Do you do yoga for stress release? What are some of your favorite poses?
This post is sponsored by Sverve on behalf of Stayfree. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.
These are some of my favorites too! I always forget how good lizard feels until I do it in a class. And I have a love/hate relationship with pigeon pose:)
my hips are always so tight!
I do love me some hip openers! When I run the day after yoga, my legs feel lighter.
I carry a lot of stress in my hips so when we do pigeon pose in yoga class I almost cry because it feels so good!
I’m going to start doing yoga – Gaiam has come out with product and dvds aimed at men. Should be fun!
I am going to do some of these stretches this afternoon, my hips are so tight!!!
My hips are my issue also…. well and the entire pelvic region and my core. I’m a walking/running mess ha ha. But with this hamstring injury, I’m finding the hips really play a part in all of this. Great post, and I need to start incorporating these exercises daily!
I’m a huge fan of hip opening stretches! I do them after every run. Low lunge and cobbler pose are my faves 🙂
I need all of these poses in my life right now. I am so tight and this is just what I need. Thanks for sharing!
PIGEON POSE for the win! That’s my fave one for my hips.
I was a yogini before a runner and love me some lizard pose!
I definitely need to be better about doing more of these yoga poses, even if its just taking 5 minutes out of my day to do some extra stretching.
Great hip opening poses!! I have been doing a lot of these poses lately because of the #taketheleap challenge. LOVE pigeon, especially after a run!
I don’t know where I would be with out yoga–and that goes for everything, but especially with running. Malasana (garland) is another great one!
Great poses! I don’t do yoga regularly, but I want to!
I love the room you do yoga in. That roaring fire just invites you to be close. Some of your poses are ones that I’ve done but others are new to me and because my hips are regularly very tight, I’m going to give them a go.
i made my first yoga class Tuesday on over 5 weeks! It felt so good ! Great post ! It is so important!
Thread the needle is my all-time favorite stretch!!! I should start doing all of those more often – my hips are always the achiest part of my body after any run!
I have perpetually tight hips so I LOVE hip opener poses. Pigeon is one of my faves
I need to do these more often. Especially pigeon. Love that one.
Pigeon pose is my favorite! I do all of these regularly after my runs. I’ve been having my mom do more of these/yoga in general because she is SO inflexible. I tell her she needs to keep doing it if she wants to loosen up!
Beautiful lines and practice, missy!
I’m very jelly of your Yoga space, too. <3 😀
Yes to all of these and I’m noticing a difference! Love it when that happens.
I get so stressed out that I don’t have enough time for yoga, and then when I squeeze in 5 minutes my stress is gone! whoohoo
I love how you showcased your favorite asanas! I can personally attest to the butterfly and thread the needle; they make you feel so great! My favorite so far has to be dolphin 🙂
You’ve definitely inspired me to get back into my practice!
yoga has become my saving grace this training cycle. I love all the ones you listed and try and do them regularly!
Oh I need to start doing these! As my mileage amps back up again, I can already feel my hips tightening up!