Hey there, yogis! Are you looking to add some flexibility to your yoga practice? Well, look no further! In this blog post, we’ll be going over the top 10 yoga poses for flexibility that will help you stretch and bend with ease. 🧘‍♀️

1. Downward-Facing Dog

Starting off with the classic, Downward-Facing Dog helps lengthen your spine, stretches your hamstrings, calves, and ankles, and also strengthens your arms and shoulders.

A person in Downward-Facing Dog, with their hands and feet on the ground and their hips up in the air

To get into this pose, start in a tabletop position with your hands and knees on the ground. Then, lift your hips up towards the ceiling while keeping your hands and feet on the floor. Make sure to keep your head down and gaze towards your navel.

2. Forward Fold

Forward Fold stretches your hamstrings, calves, and hips, and also helps release tension in your lower back.

A person in Forward Fold, bending over with their hands reaching towards their feet

To come into this pose, stand tall with your feet hip-distance apart and slowly fold forward from your hips. Reach down and grab your ankles or place your hands on the floor. Keep your knees slightly bent to protect your hamstrings.

3. Triangle Pose

Triangle Pose stretches your hamstrings, hips, and chest, and also improves balance and stability.

A person in Triangle Pose with one hand reaching towards the sky and the other hand touching their ankle

Begin by standing with your feet wide apart and turn your right foot out. Reach your right hand towards your ankle while lifting your left hand up towards the sky. Make sure to open up your chest towards the ceiling and keep your gaze up towards your left hand.

4. Pigeon Pose

Pigeon Pose stretches your hips, glutes, and lower back, and also helps release tension in your hips.

A person in Pigeon Pose, with one leg bent in front of them and the other leg straight back, with their hands on their hips

Start in a plank pose and then bring your right knee towards your right hand. Extend your left leg back and slide your right foot towards your left wrist. Lower your hips down towards the floor, and keep your hands on your hips or on the floor. Switch sides and repeat.

5. Cobra Pose

Cobra Pose helps stretch your chest, shoulders, and abdomen, and also improves posture.

A person in Cobra Pose, lifting their chest off the floor and supporting themselves with their arms

Begin on your stomach with your hands on the floor next to your shoulders. Press down into your hands and lift your chest up towards the ceiling. Keep your elbows close to your body and gaze forward.

6. Seated Forward Fold

Seated Forward Fold stretches your hamstrings, hips, and lower back, and also helps calm the mind.

A person in Seated Forward Fold, sitting with their legs straight in front of them and bending over, reaching towards their feet

Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Reach forward and grab onto your feet or ankles, and fold forward from your hips. Keep your knees slightly bent to protect your hamstrings.

7. Lizard Pose

Lizard Pose stretches your hips, hamstrings, and quadriceps, and also helps strengthen your legs and core.

A person in Lizard Pose, with one leg bent in a lunge position and the other leg stretched back, with their hands on the floor or blocks

Start in a low lunge position with your right foot forward. Bring your elbows down to the inside of your right foot and drop your back knee down to the floor. Keep your hands on the ground or on blocks for support. Switch sides and repeat.

8. Butterfly Pose

Butterfly Pose stretches your hips and inner thighs and also helps improve circulation.

A person in Butterfly Pose, sitting with the soles of their feet touching and knees bent out to the sides, bending forward over their feet

Sit on the floor with the soles of your feet together and your knees out to the sides. Grab your feet, and bring your feet as close to your body as possible. Slowly fold forward from your hips, keeping your spine straight.

9. Child’s Pose

Child’s Pose helps release tension in your back, neck, and shoulders, and also helps calm the mind.

A person in Child's Pose, sitting on their heels and bending over, reaching their arms out in front of them

Start on your hands and knees and then lower your hips towards your heels. Bring your forehead down to the ground and reach your arms out in front of you.

10. Happy Baby Pose

Happy Baby Pose stretches your hips, groin, and hamstrings, and also helps relieve lower back pain.

A person in Happy Baby Pose, lying on their back with their knees pulled towards their chest and holding onto their feet

Lie on your back and hug your knees into your chest. Reach up and grab onto the outsides of your feet, with your knees bent and feet facing upward. Gently rock back and forth to massage your lower back.

And there you have it, the top 10 yoga poses for flexibility! Incorporate these poses into your practice and you’ll be bending and stretching like a pro in no time. 🙌