How to Perform Hip Flexor Stretches

How to Perform Hip Flexor Stretches
The hip flexors are a group of muscles including both muscles of the hips and upper thighs. Your hip flexors move your knees into your chest and also move your legs from front to back and side to side. Because many people spend the majority of their work days sitting down, the hip flexors can become tight and prone to injury. Runners should pay special attention to stretching this muscle group. 1 . In addition to stretching the hip flexors, the camel pose will open up the chest and increase the flexibility of the spine. The exercise tightens the waist and strengthens the arms and shoulders as well. Yogis believe that this posture opens up your respiratory system so that you can take in more oxygen with each breath. They also believe that the exercise helps to open the heart chakra to allow you to feel more connected to the world and to bestow forgiveness where needed in your life. 2 . 3 . This simple pose stretches the groin and inner thighs while opening up the chest. Make sure that your spine does not arch as you perform this pose. If you need support, you can place a pillow under your ankles to ease the stretch in your lower body or a pillow under your head so that you can avoid neck compression. This pose may also bring relief from fatigue, insomnia and mild depression. 4 . 5 1 Do a standing hip hinge. 2 . 3 . 4 Do frog pullovers. 5 Do a hip rotator stretch. Instead of resting your feet on a wall, you can get into a 90/90 neutral back position with your legs supported by a bench. This exercise focuses on using the bent leg to push your other leg toward the wall. You can also draw your knees toward your chest to stretch the hip flexor in your bent leg. Ask a Question Original article and pictures take http://m.howyougetfit.com/Perform-Hip-Flexor-Stretches site