Yoga for Flexibility
These yoga poses for flexibility will help you lengthen and stretch your muscles in a safe, effective way. Include these poses in your practice regularly to see improvements.
Latest in Yoga for Flexibility
If You Want to Convince Your Dad to Try Yoga, Here’s the Way (and a Practice) to Do It
He may never admit you're right. But these reasons might persuade your stubborn dad to at least try it.
This Slow Yoga Practice Will Help You Unwind—No Standing Required
Sometimes less is more, even in yoga.
Bound Angle Pose
Bound Angle Pose, or Baddha Konasana, opens the deepest part of the hip muscles.
Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
Open wide into Prasarita Padottanasana to increase flexibility by leaps and bounds.
One-Legged King Pigeon Pose
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana is a deep hip opener and forward bend that you should approach consciously to reap its many benefits.
Seated Forward Bend
Fold into Paschimottanasana to help your distracted mind—and your hamstrings—unwind.
Pyramid Pose | Intense Side Stretch Pose
Parsvottanasana encourages balance, body awareness, and inspires confidence.
Downward-Facing Dog
One of yoga's most widely recognized poses, Adho Mukha Svanasana strengthens the core and improves circulation, while providing a delicious, full-body stretch.
Extended Triangle Pose
Extended Triangle Pose is a quintessential standing pose that stretches and strengthens the whole body.
Standing Forward Bend
Uttanasana will wake up your hamstrings and soothe your mind.
Warrior I Pose
Virabhadrasana I is a foundational yoga pose that balances flexibility and strength in true warrior fashion.
Reverse Plank | Upward Plank Pose
Purvottanasana counteracts the effects of Chaturanga by stretching the pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, and anterior deltoids.
Child’s Pose
Take a break. Balasana is a restful pose that can be sequenced between more challenging asanas.
Revolved Triangle Pose
As a counterpose to Utthita Trikonasana and preparation for seated forward bends and twists, this pose is key to a skilled practice.
Think You Can’t Come Into Compass Pose? This 45-Minute Practice Will Get You There
All the poses, transitions, and anatomy know-how you need for your most successful attempt yet—whether you're taking class or teaching it.
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I
Folding into Marichyasana I or Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi I calms your mind, extends your spine, and gives your internal organs a healthy squeeze.
6 Yoga Poses to Help Improve Flexibility
It's a myth that you have to be flexible to do yoga. But with consistency, your asana practice can help you build flexibility over time, so you can move more efficiently—both on and off the mat.
“Why I Don’t ‘Stretch’ Anymore”
Senior Yoga Medicine teacher Rachel Land created our Yoga for Flexibility Challenge but explains why it’s not all about about “stretching.”
Yoga for Flexibility Challenge Week 5: Strength Work
There’s a myth that a strong muscle is a tight one, and a flexible muscle is weak. It seems counterintuitive, but identifying and strengthening weak areas can actually help tight areas release their grip. Your challenge for this week is to address one or two of your dormant areas with targeted strength work. Share your progress on social media with #YJflexichallenge for a chance to be featured on our @YogaJournal Instagram page!
3 Ways to Prep for Scales Pose
Open your hips and hamstrings, create flexibility in your spine, and increase circulation to your core with these prep poses for Tolasana.