| This article shows you 7 yoga asanas that efficiently | | | | hamstrings are very stiff. That will increase the stretch. |
| help cyclists, triathletes and runners with stiff muscles. | | | | Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I): Warrior I is a very good |
| If you are doing a lot of running or cycling, it is also | | | | posture to stretch you hip flexors, which is a weak |
| common that you have stiff legs. This stiffness in the | | | | point in many runners and cyclists. It increases flexibility |
| legs, ranging from the foot up to the gluteus maximus, | | | | in the hips, back and front groins. |
| can cause different problems as for instance the | | | | Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): This is another pose that |
| iliotibial band syndrome. Other problems that can arise | | | | will stretch your hip joints. It will also open the groins |
| from stiff leg muscles are back problems. Please | | | | and stretch the inner thigh muscles. |
| check my blog for more posts about knee problems | | | | Side Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana): Stretches the |
| and their prevention. | | | | back side of the legs and opens the groin. It will also |
| These poses are particularly good for newcomers to | | | | stretch the upper body. Is a very good follower to the |
| yoga. They will help you getting more flexible leg | | | | Warrior II. |
| muscles. Every asana is described with its English and | | | | Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): A follow up of the |
| Sanskrit name, so that you can find videos and | | | | Warrior I posture. Above all the hips are getting |
| pictures of the poses on the web or in a book. I mostly | | | | worked on here. |
| find the asanas on YouTube. | | | | Intense side stretch (Parsvottanasana): This pose |
| When your legs are more flexible, they can perform | | | | work on your hamstrings and gluteus maximus. It gives |
| with less resistance. It will be possible to run or cycle | | | | you a more intense stretch for your hamstrings than |
| more efficient. It will also help you to avoid overuse | | | | you get in the standing forward bend. |
| injuries as iliotibial band syndrome. I have noticed that | | | | Wide stance forward bend (Prasarita Padottanasana): |
| when I started doing yoga or stretching, I didn't get any | | | | For stretching your hamstrings and gluteus maximus, |
| knee pain anymore. | | | | this is a very good asana. The difference to the |
| It is normal for beginners to feel a light sensation of | | | | standing forward bend is that in this pose you have |
| pain when trying to get into the different asanas. Don't | | | | your feet wider apart. It is also called wide-legged |
| give up! Through regular stretching you will gain | | | | forward fold. |
| flexibility and it will be much easier getting into the | | | | To get the most of the asanas described above, stay |
| postures. In the end you will really enjoy them. | | | | for five deep breaths in position. By doing the poses |
| Triangle Pose (Trikonasana): This is a very good | | | | regularly you will open up your groin and increase the |
| stretch for your hips. | | | | flexibility in your legs and hips. This will reduce the risk |
| Standing forward bend (Uttanasana): This pose will | | | | of getting problems with overuse injuries. I recommend |
| flex your hamstrings, gluteus maximus, medius and | | | | doing these asanas at least three times a week and |
| minimus as well as your spinal muscles. People with | | | | when you have done them for 2 months we can go |
| back injury should approach this bend very cautiously. | | | | to the next level. |
| Gravity should do the work, don't push your body into | | | | I hope these Yoga asanas will help you enjoying your |
| the pose. It is recommended to bend you knees if your | | | | sport! |