“Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”― B.K.S. Iyengar

    To aid dancers and, virtually, everyone help relieve pain in the hip and lower back you can follow these easy and simple yoga stretches. When stretching is done properly it can ease pain, increase the fluidity of mobility and decrease chances of serious injuries to occur in the lower region of our bodies. let’s take a look at some yoga stretches to start practicing today!

    Lizard Lounge yoga stretch
    Lizard-Lower Lunge pose

     

     

    1. Lizard-Lower Lunge: Step your left foot forward several feet in front of the right foot. Bend the left knee until it lines up perfectly with the ankle. Drop the right knee to the ground and keep the toes curled under on that foot to stretch the calf muscle. Walk the left foot out to the side and place both elbows on top of blocks on the inside edge of the left foot. Keep hips lined up parallel to each other. You are opening the right psoas muscle and the left inner thigh.
      bound Ankle yoga pose
      Bound Ankle Pose

       

    2. Bound Ankle Pose: This stretch requires you to bind your ankles which will unbind your hips. Bring the soles of your feet together, pulling the heels close to your groin, bending the knees, and butterfly flare the legs open.If you see the knees too high, place a blanket under the sit bones to prop the hips up.Keeping your spine straight, lead with the chest, pull your shoulders back, and fold toward your feet. This pose will open and relax the inner thighs and groin.
    3. Yoga Cow face pose
      Cow Face Pose

      Cow Face Pose: Begin by threading the left leg under your right leg. Work toward stacking the knees, while keeping both sit bones on the ground. Tuck the toes in to protect the knees. Sit in the pose for several minutes.

    4. yoga pigeon pose stretcg
      Pigeon Pose

      Pigeon Pose: Starting in downward facing dog, lift the right leg and step it forward between the hands. Drop the left knee down and untuck the toes. Slide the right foot over toward your left pelvic bone placing the outside edge of the right leg on the floor. Tuck the right toes in (flexing the foot). Line up hips parallel to each other, continually pressing the left hip toward the floor.

    5. Happy Baby: Lie flat on your back, grab hold of both feet with each hand, bend the knees and pull them toward your armpits. Once in the proper position rock side to side, keeping your head on the floor. This will externally rotate and stretch the hips, loosen the inner groin muscles, and help realign the spine.
    Happy Baby pose
    We found no better way to explain the Happy Baby Pose… This is EXACTLY what it should look like 🙂

     

    We’ll keep sharing more yoga stretches and other health tips in our future posts. Stay tuned!

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    Denver Yoga DancersYes, Yoga for Dancers in Denver! At Bella Diva Dance’s  new studio, located in the Glendale Center on E. Mississippi Ave and Birch St, near Colorado Blvd.  We offer you: Belly Dance, Samba, Yoga, Bollywood, Hot Hula® Fitness, Afro-Caribe and Kids’ World Dance. Contact Caitlin for more information about classes: 303.359.9414 or email us at [email protected].