Tightness in your hips can be attributed to sitting at your desk all day, but it your workout schedule could have something to do with it, too. That’s why it’s so important to deal with it before it starts causing you regular discomfort. Finding a routine that includes weekly hip opening exercises is one of the best way to unlock even the tightest joints.
Experts in This Article
certified yoga practitioner and creative wellness entrepreneur
yoga teacher in New York City.
co-founder of Sky Ting Yoga in New York City
Francesca Valarezo is a yoga and meditation teacher in New York City.
co-founder of Sky Ting Yoga in New York City.
founder of The Sculpt Society
wellness artist, yoga and creative mindfulness facilitator
yoga instructor at VERAYOGA
Val Verdier is a yoga instructor at Modo Yoga in New York City.
Hip opening exercises strengthen your muscles, yes, but they also provide the relief your body so desperately craves. The next time you feel the tightness start to creep in, make your way down this list. You’ll be able to relieve all that tension in record time.
The best hip opening exercises to relieve tightness
1. Wheel pose
The wheel pose is great at opening the hips, as well relieving tension in your chest and shoulders.
2. Three-legged downward facing dog
This video is filled with hip-opening poses, but one in particular you’ll love is the three-legged downward dog.
3. Side lunge
The side lunge is the perfect exercise for anyone who has tight hips, as it gives you a nice stretch along your inner thigh.
4. Happy baby
One of the many feel-good, hip-opening stretches in this yoga flow is happy baby, which releases tension in your hips and stretches your inner thighs and hamstrings.
5. Bridge yoga pose
Pushing your hips toward the ceiling in this pose always feels great on super-tight hips and leg muscles.
6. Crescent lunge
This deep stretch targets your hip flexors, legs, and groin, providing some relief after a long day of sitting.
7. Pigeon pose
The second you move into pigeon pose, your hips basically breath a sigh of relief. It feels that good.
8. Triangle pose
Aside from opening your hips, triangle pose also provides a nice stretch for your hamstrings, shoulders, chest, and groin.
For a full 15 minutes of hip opening exercises, try this yoga flow:
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