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    Yoga Journal Yoga Poses Yoga Poses by Anatomy

    Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

    Do you sit too much during the day? Suffer from stiff hips? Yoga for hip flexors can help. Lengthen and strengthen your flexors with deep hip openers like Boat Pose and Pigeon.

    • Yoga Poses for Your Abdominals
    • Yoga Poses for Your Ankles
    • Yoga Poses for Your Arms
    • Yoga Poses for Your Back
    • Yoga Poses for Your Stomach and Belly
    • Yoga Poses for Your Glutes
    • Yoga Poses for Your Hamstrings
    • Hand Yoga Poses for Your Fingers, Palms, and Wrists
    • Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors
    • Yoga Poses for Your Hips
    • Yoga Poses for Your Knees
    • Yoga Poses for Your Legs
    • Poses for Your Lower Back
    • Yoga Poses for Your Neck
    • Yoga Poses for Your Pelvis
    • Yoga Poses for Your Sacrum
    • Shoulder-Opening Yoga Poses
    • Yoga Poses for Spine Alignment
    • Yoga Poses for Your Thighs
    • Yoga Poses for Your Upper Back
    • Yoga Poses for Your Wrists
    More
      Core Yoga Poses

      Boat Pose

      YJ Editors
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Bow Pose

      YJ Editors
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Bridge Pose

      YJ Editors
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Camel Pose

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Crow Pose | Crane Pose

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Eight-Angle Pose

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Firefly Pose

      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Fish Pose

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      High Lunge

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      High Lunge, Crescent Variation

      YJ Editors
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      King Pigeon Pose

      YJ Editors
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Dancer Pose | Lord of the Dance Pose

      YJ Editors
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Low Lunge

      YJ Editors
      Poses by Level

      Monkey Pose

      YJ Editors
      Hip-Opening Yoga Poses

      Pigeon Pose

      Backbend Yoga Poses

      One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II

      YJ Editors
      Poses by Level

      Reclining Hero Pose

      YJ Editors
      Poses by Type

      Revolved Side Angle Pose

      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Scale Pose

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Shoulder-Pressing Pose

      YJ Editors
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Side Crow Pose | Side Crane Pose

      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Upward-Facing Dog Pose

      YJ Editors

      Latest in Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

      Beginner Yoga How-To

      5 Best Hip Flexor Stretches to Counteract All That Sitting

      Your lower back will thank you.

      Julie Gudmestad
      YJ Editors
      Updated Apr 25, 2025
      Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

      6 Yoga Poses for Stretching Tight Hip Flexors

      Hip flexors creaky and tight? These yoga poses can help you find relief.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jan 14, 2025
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      This Is the Most Underrated Yoga Pose for Core-Strengthening

      Tired of Boat Pose? Then you need to try Lolasana.

      Roger Cole
      YJ Editors
      Updated May 2, 2024
      Hip-Opening Yoga Poses

      11 Yoga Poses to Unlock the Deep Hip Opening Your Body Is Craving

      Loosen up those tight hips—and let go of whatever you’re holding onto—with this short sequence.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 10, 2024
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Eight-Angle Pose

      Fire up your abs for this difficult asymmetrical arm balance, Eight-Angle Pose.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Chest-Opening Yoga Poses

      Same Shape, Different Pose: Bridge, Camel, and Bow

      Having a tricky time with Bow Pose? Take what you know from Bridge and Camel and change your relationship to gravity. Here's how.

      Jenny Aurthur
      Published Jan 4, 2022
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Side Crow Pose | Side Crane Pose

      The key to Parsva Bakasana is twisting enough to place the outer edge of one upper arm far around the outside of the opposite thigh.

      Updated Feb 28, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Upward-Facing Dog Pose

      Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, a well-known backbend, will challenge you to lift and open your chest.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Crow Pose | Crane Pose

      A compact arm balance, Crow Pose and Crane Pose tone the abs and the arms, strengthen in the core, and focus the mind.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Hip-Opening Yoga Poses

      Pigeon Pose

      Eka Pada Rajakapotasana is a deep hip opener and forward bend that you should approach consciously to reap its many benefits.

      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Bridge Pose

      Setu Bandha Sarvangasana can be whatever you need—energizing, rejuvenating, or luxuriously restorative.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Camel Pose

      Bump up your energy (and confidence!) by bending back into Camel Pose. Ustrasana counteracts slouching and relieves lower back pain with a generous, heart-opening stretch.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Core Yoga Poses

      Boat Pose

      Boat Pose, or Paripurna Navasana, requires you to balance on the tripod of your sitting bones and tailbone to build mental and physical focus, inspiring a full-body awareness.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 21, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Bow Pose

      Bend back into the shape of a bow to feel energetically locked, loaded, and ready to take aim.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025
      Poses by Type

      Revolved Side Angle Pose

      This revolved variation of Utthita Parsvakonasana requires a lot of flexibility to twist so deeply and ground the back heel.

      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Firefly Pose

      Want to fly? Fire up your core. Firefly pose is an arm balance pose that requires more core strength than arm strength.

      Updated Mar 14, 2025
      Yoga for Athletes

      5 Yoga Poses That Are Perfect Right Before a Run

      These pre-run stretches help counteract the muscular tension that always seems to accompany your workout—no matter your pace.

      Amy Ippoliti
      Published Sep 8, 2021
      Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

      5 Groin Stretches to Safely Stretch Tight Muscles

      Barely able to come into Butterfly? These stretches will help you find relief.

      Sarah Ezrin
      Updated Aug 30, 2024
      Poses by Type

      4 Ways to Adapt High Lunge to Your Body and Needs

      This foundational shape lengthens your hip flexors and engages your core, preparing you for more demanding poses.

      Ann Swanson
      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Practice Yoga

      Yoga for Back Health: Got Tight Hip Flexors? 3 Poses for Instant Relief

      These simple moves will powerfully balance your legs, pelvis, and spine whether you're at your desk, out and about, or on the mat.

      Alison West
      Published Jul 6, 2018
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      A Hero (Pose) for Every Home Practice

      The intensity of Virasana can feel as daunting as the hero’s journey in your favorite adventure story. Choose the variation on the pose, ranging from gentle to fiery, to fit the narrative of your personal story on the mat today.

      Kathryn Budig
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      This Is How to Stretch Out Your Hips at Home

      You're going to like how this feels.

      Vinnie Marino
      Updated Aug 15, 2024
      Hip-Opening Yoga Poses

      Tight Hips? You Need Jessamyn Stanley’s Hanumanasana Prep

      Every yogi can melt hip tension with this Monkey Pose sequence (with mods!) from the yoga teacher, body-positive advocate, and Instagram star.

      Jessamyn Stanley
      Published Oct 27, 2016
      Poses by Type

      Anatomy 101: Balance Mobility + Stability in Your Hip Joints

      Balancing forces is particularly crucial when it comes to addressing the feeling of “tightness” many of us have in our hips.

      Ray Long, MD
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Sequences

      Two Fit Moms: 8 Poses to Prep You for Hanumanasana

      Whether or not you ever find yourself in the full expression of Monkey Pose, you can still enjoy the journey with these very effective preps from Two Fit Moms.

      Laura Kasperzak
      Masumi Goldman
      Updated Jan 15, 2025
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      1 Pose, 4 Ways: Hanumanasana (Monkey Pose)

      The yoga splits, or Hanumanasana, are a lifelong journey for many yogis. Fortunately there’s more than one way to skin a Monkey. These four variations of the pose each offer their own value and benefits.

      Kathryn Budig
      Published Jan 27, 2016
      Practice Yoga

      The Overhand-Grip Secret You’re Probably Missing

      Masumi Goldman reveals the trick to mastering the overhand grip in Dancer and One-Legged King Pigeon Poses is often in (surprise!) the psoas.

      Masumi Goldman
      Published May 21, 2015
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Pose of the Week: Lord of the Dance Pose With a Strap

      Lord of the Dance Pose (Natarajasana) requires foundation, stability, concentration, flexibility, and balanced action -- everything you need as you set out to achieve your goals for the New Year.

      YJ Editors
      Published Jan 14, 2015
      Hip-Opening Yoga Poses

      Hip-Opening Pose: Fire Log

      Fire Log Pose (Double Pigeon) opens the hips and the groin, and releases tension, anxiety, and pent-up stress.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Challenge Pose: 4 Steps to Lift into Firefly

      Here's how to use the strength of your core and inner thighs to lift into this arm balance.

      Kathryn Budig
      Published Sep 8, 2014
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Firefly Pose Prep

      Focus on deepening hip and shoulder flexibility to get ready for Tittibhasana.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jun 12, 2025
      Lifestyle

      Prevent Injury With Balanced Strength in the Hips

      Almost all sports injuries are caused by imbalance in the body, says Sage Rountree. Here she explains how to achieve balance throughout the hips for greater comfort and freedom in your activities.

      Sage Rountree
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

      The Reason for Hip Stretches

      Hip openers increase flexibility and range of motion, which benefits athletes of all kinds. But too much looseness in the hips can a detriment. Sage Rountree explains.

      YJ Editors
      Published Dec 3, 2012
      Beginner Yoga Sequences

      This Small (and Often Overlooked) Muscle Plays a Huge Role in Low Back Pain

      These stretches can help.

      Doug Keller
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

      Wondering Out Loud

      A student's question in class brings up an important discussion about protecting the knees in Fire Log Pose.

      YJ Editors
      Published Dec 15, 2011
      Yoga Poses for Your Hip Flexors

      Releasing Tight Hips

      Check out YJ Editors's author page.

      YJ Editors
      Published Jul 18, 2011
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Wild Thing

      One poetic translation of Camatkarasana means "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart."

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 22, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      The Most Versatile Backbend: Bridge Pose

      One of yoga's most versatile backbends, Bridge Pose can fire you up or cool you down depending on what you need.

      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      How to (Comfortably) Come Into Pigeon Pose

      …and get the maximum benefit from this hip opener.

      Natasha Rizopoulos
      Updated Jun 7, 2024
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Shoulder-Pressing Pose

      This arm balance, Bhujapidasana, relies more on precise positioning than on strength, making it more accessible for students beginning an arm balancing practice.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 21, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      Low Lunge

      Low Lunge, or Anjaneyasana in Sanskrit, stretches the thighs and groins and opens the chest. It provides recovery post-workout, and boosts energy while consciously working to improve posture.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 27, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II

      Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II allows you to stretch the entire front body and deep into the hip flexors to strengthen your back and improve posture.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 27, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      High Lunge, Crescent Variation

      This variation of High Lunge, sometimes called Crescent Pose, is a great preparation for the full version of Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose).

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jan 14, 2025
      Beginner Yoga Poses

      High Lunge

      Counteract the effects of Modern-Day Sitting Syndrome by lengthening your hip flexors in High Lunge.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II

      Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II tones the belly and spine, strengthens the arms and wrists, and gives your self-confidence a big boost.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I

      Eka Pada Koundinyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I has a lot going on—the twist, the legs going their separate ways, oh, and the arm balance. Master it.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      King Pigeon Pose

      Kapotasana invigorates your body and gives your spirits a lift. This extremely deep backbend is appropriate for advanced practitioners only.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jan 20, 2025
      Beginner Yoga How-To

      Melt Tension with Pigeon Pose

      Find proper alignment in Pigeon Pose, then practice it often, and those stiff, tight hips will start to feel open again.

      Jason Crandell
      Published Aug 28, 2007
      Arm Balance Yoga Poses

      Scale Pose

      Strengthen your wrists, arms, and abs, hanging in the balance of Tolasana.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Jan 29, 2025
      Poses by Level

      Monkey Pose

      Take a leap of faith into Hanumanasana or Monkey Pose, named for a figure in Hindu mythology who did just that. And when faith doesn't get you all the way there, practice will.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 26, 2025
      Poses by Level

      Reclining Hero Pose

      Lay Virasana back and to take the stretch in the thighs and ankles up a notch.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Mar 24, 2025
      Backbend Yoga Poses

      Fish Pose

      Boost the body's energy and fight fatigue with Fish Pose, or Matsyasana in Sanskrit, while building confidence with a loving stretch in the shoulders. It is said that if you perform Matsyasana in water, you will be able to float like a fish.

      YJ Editors
      Updated Feb 25, 2025

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