Reclined Hip Opener

Benefits:

• Stretches the hip (especially rotator muscles)

• Relieves tension from upper and lower back

• Tones arms and front of thighs (quadriceps)

• May help relieve sciatic pain

Steps:

• Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet placed on the floor hip width apart

• Bring your right knee to your chest

• Cross your right ankle onto your left thigh, near your knee

• Clasp both hands around and behind your left thigh

• Inhale

• Exhale, pull your left thigh towards your chest

• Take 4-5 long slow breaths here, focusing on the exhalation, allowing your body to relax

• Use your right elbow to press your right knee away from your body

• Exhale, move your thigh away from your chest, lowering your left foot back to the floor

• Release your right ankle from your left thigh and lower your right foot back to the floor

Repeat on the other side