About Yoga: Strap It Up, I'll Take It

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Yoga Yoga Yoga Styles Beginners Poses & Workouts From Ann Pizer, your Guide to Yoga Stretching your hamstrings regularly can do wonders for many types of pain, from the feet on up to the low back. If you're tight in the hamstrings, the best thing you can do is get ahold of a strap (AKA arm extender). It could be a yoga strap but a regular old belt will do too. Using the strap for hamstring stretches allows you do get more out of the poses while maintaining good alignment in the spine and shoulders. Reclined Big Toe Pose - Supta Padangusthasana Without the strap, you may find yourself having to either bend your knee or pull your arms way out of their sockets. With the strap, alignment is restored and a good stretch is achieved. Search Related Topics:  yoga for back pain  hamstring stretches  beginning poses Standing Big Toe Pose - Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana Rotate the previous posture 90 degrees and you'll find yourself standing on one leg with the other outstretched. The strap has pretty much the same role to play here, but having to balance on one leg ups the intensity. Search Related Topics:  balances  hamstring stretches  intermediate poses Seated Forward Bend - Paschimottanasana Putting the strap around the soles of both feet before you forward bend keeps your focus is on maintaining the integrity of the spine rather than making a desperate grab for your toes. Search Related Topics:  hamstring stretches  seated poses  beginning poses Pose of the Week - Heron Pose - Krounchasana If the half-virasana position of your leg is too intense, feel free to bring that leg forward into an easy position instead. Again, a strap around the ball of your foot allows you to straighten your lifted leg and keep your shoulder in their sockets where they belong. Search Related Topics:  seated poses  hamstring stretches  advanced poses Related Searches Beginning Yoga Yoga for You Yoga Exercise Yoga Workouts Beginner Yoga Poses Featured Articles Yoga Philosophy and Meditation Advanced Yoga Yoga Glossary Yoga Frequently Asked Questions Beginning Yoga Practice An Index of Yoga Poses   More from About.com Run Your First 5K Even couch potatoes can be ready for a 5K with just a couple months of training. Read more...> Help! I'm Too Busy Time and stress management tips to help you feel as though you have more time. Read more...> This newsletter is written by: Ann Pizer Yoga Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Yoga newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2013 About.com   Must Reads What is Yoga? How to Start Doing Yoga Yoga and Weight Loss Yoga Tips 10 Essential Poses for Beginners   Follow me on: Advertisement