Poses for Your Legs

We know you love your hip openers. But it's easy to overdo a good thing. Here's how to find that elusive balance of stretching and strengthening.

Your lower back does enough. Here's how to move more efficiently in your practice—and in life.

A classic standing posture, Vrksasana establishes strength and balance, and helps you feel centered, steady and grounded.

Bound Angle Pose, or Baddha Konasana, opens the deepest part of the hip muscles.

Named for a legendary warrior, Virabhadrasana II strengthens your quads, shoulders, and core—not to mention your stamina and inner resolve.

It might look straightforward, but there's more to Dandasana than meets the eye.

There's a general consensus among modern yogis that Viparita Karani or Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose may have the power to cure whatever ails you.

Parsvottanasana encourages balance, body awareness, and inspires confidence.

Trade in your gym workouts for these postures, which shape stronger legs, arms, and core.

Adho Mukha Vrksasana boosts energy and confidence, and can literally give you a new perspective on life.

A standing posture centered around balance, Virabhadrasana III will strengthen your legs, ankles and core.

Standing on your head in Salamba Sirsasana strengthens the whole body and calms the brain.

One of yoga's most widely recognized poses, Adho Mukha Svanasana strengthens the core and improves circulation, while providing a delicious, full-body stretch.

Don't let the name fool you. If you're used to sitting in chairs, Easy Pose (or Sukhasana) can be quite challenging.

Extended Triangle Pose is a quintessential standing pose that stretches and strengthens the whole body.

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

Utkatasana powerfully strengthens the muscles of the arms and legs, but it also stimulates the diaphragm and heart.

Start aiming for par with these poses.

Find length in your side body, from your heel to your fingertips with Extended Side Angle Pose.

Suddenly, your practice just became a lot stronger (literally).