The hip flexors are one of the areas of the body that we don't pay much attention to until pain begins to creep up. Unfortunately this is becoming more common as our sedentary lifestyles can cause the hip flexors to tighten and shorten, resulting in pain.
So what can we do if we work a desk job and spend a lot of time sitting? Stretch it out! Research shows that range of motion in individuals experiencing tightness in the hip flexors improved over time from consistent stretching.
Plus, when our hips become tight, we can start to feel pain in other areas of our body, too, including the low back. So by taking the time to stretch the hip flexors, we can combat tightness and prevent pain in other areas of the body as well.
Make it a habit to take just a few minutes out of your day to step away from your desk and stretch. This can be enough to combat hip and back pain and even prevent hip problems in the future. You can perform these simple moves anywhere to get a nice stretch in the hip flexors. Make sure to take each one slowly so that you get the most out of each stretch.
Happy baby
Lie on your back. Keeping a neutral spine, bring your knees to your chest. Flex both feet and bring your soles toward the ceiling, so that your shins are perpendicular to your body. Your knees should bend at 90 degrees. Wrap two fingers of each hand around your big toes, if you can reach, and gently pull your feet down toward your chest. If you can’t reach your toes, hold on to your calves. You should feel a comfortable stretch in your hips. Breathe deeply and hold the position for a 5 breaths.
Goddess pose
Stand with your feet wider than your shoulders and your toes turned out slightly. Reach the arms up into a goal-post position at shoulder height. Bend the knees out toward the sides of the room, lowering the body toward the ground. Keep your back straight and keep your pelvis tucked under by engaging your core. Ultimately, work to lower down so much that your thighs are parallel with the floor. Hold for 5 breaths.
Warrior II
Start in a wide stance with both feet pointed forward and your arms straight out to your sides. Turn your right foot and knee to face the right side of the room. Turn your left foot on a slight diagonal toward the right foot. Bend the right knee so that it tracks over the second toe on the right foot and look over the right fingertips. Keep the left leg straight. Make sure your torso stays centered over the hips. Relax the shoulders, and bend the knee so much so that the right thigh is parallel to the floor. Check to see if you need to scoot the right foot forward to keep the right knee over the right ankle. Hold for 5 breaths, then switch sides.
Crescent lunge
From a standing position, step your left foot back behind you. Bend your right knee so that your quadricep is parallel with the mat. Reach your arms toward the sky and straighten your back. Hold for 5 breaths, relaxing the shoulders, before switching sides.
Single knee to chest
Lying on your back, hug your right knee into your chest. Wrap your arms around your leg so that your hands rest on your shins. Gently pull the right leg in closer to the chest and extend the left leg straight on the ground. Feel a stretch in the right hip flexor, hold for 5 breaths, and then switch sides.
Low lunge
Start on your hands and knees. Step your right foot forward in between your hands. Slide your left foot back so that your shin is flat on the ground and your thigh forms a 45-degree angle with the floor. Bend your right knee and keep your right foot pressing into the floor. Tuck the left toes under and come up onto them as you straighten your left leg. You should feel the stretch in your left hip and thigh. Take a few deep breaths while engaging your left quad to keep your left leg straight. Switch sides and perform with the left leg forward and right leg back.
Lizard
Begin on all fours with your hands and knees on the ground. Step your right foot forward in between your hands, and then bring both hands to the inside of the right foot. Wiggle your right foot out to the right, and open the right hip, letting the right knee fall to the side so that you rest on the outer edge of your right foot. Keep the left knee on the mat, and rest the left foot on the mat. Push forward gently into your hips and hold. Switch so that your left food is forward and repeat.
Seated butterfly
Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you and your back straight. Bend your knees, bringing your feet in toward your body until the soles of your feet touch. Grab both feet with your hands for extra support. Slowly lean forward until you feel a stretch in the hips. Hold for 30 seconds.
Bridge pose
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the mat. Keep your arms at your sides as you tuck your pelvis and raise your hips into the air. Keep your shoulders on the mat as you form a straight line from your chest to your knees. Reach the knees toward the front of the room as you pull the naval in toward the spine. Hold for 30 seconds, wiggling slightly side to side in this position if you feel like it. This helps with overall stability in the hip joint, strengthening the quads and hip flexors while slightly stretching them.
Figure four
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Lift your left foot off the mat, keeping a bent knee, and bring the leg toward your chest. Rotate your left leg outward, placing your left ankle on top of your right thigh. Gently pull your right thigh closer to your chest for a deeper stretch and hold for 30 seconds before switching to the other side.
Try these other routines:
