Are your hamstrings under a lot of tension? And could you use some relaxation yourself? Then we have good news for you:there is a yoga pose that will help you stretch your hamstrings. No, you don't have to twist yourself into crazy turns! This simple yoga pose is also very relaxing… What more could you want?
The forward fold is a relatively simple yoga pose that can help you stretch your hamstrings and relax at the same time. Whether you are an advanced yogi or have no experience at all with yoga, this pose is suitable for everyone.
How to do it:
1. Stand with your feet together and let your arms hang at your sides.
2. Exhale and move forward from your hips. Let your head and arms hang down.
3. Place your hands on the floor or bend your arms and grab your opposite elbow with your hands.
4. Keep your knees slightly bent instead of locking them
5. Hold this pose for about a minute.
6. Place your hands on your hips, flatten your back, and inhale as you stand back up.
Tip:Try not to force the stretch. If you need an adjustment, bend your knees slightly more or move your feet closer or further apart.
By assuming a folded, hanging position, your body receives the signal that you are in a relaxed state. This calms your nervous system and you will experience less stress. Deep breathing also helps to calm your body and mind.
This is the perfect yoga pose for stretching and lengthening your tense hamstrings and calves. Even if you don't do it every day, it can significantly relieve the pain of tense legs - for example from sitting a lot.
This yoga pose is not only good for your legs, it also activates your hips. Since stiff hips and tight hamstrings are often related – tight hamstrings pull on your lower back, causing your hips to tilt back – this pose can help you reduce hip and back pain.
This yoga pose is not only great for your muscles, you can also use the forward fold to boost your digestion. The position you adopt in combination with your breathing and the drawing in of your navel towards your spine stimulates your blood circulation and ensures that your food can move more easily through your gastrointestinal tract.
