Yoga Stretches Post Workout

Everybody who has gone to the gym at least once knows that it’s crucial to stretch after a good workout. This helps with keeping your muscles from being as sore as they usually would be in days following a good workout, and helps improve circulation as well as prevents stiffness and aches. We’ve all made the mistake of going all out at the gym and the next day, we pay the consequences by not being able to walk down the stairs or even sit on the toilet. By stretching after (and before) every workout, you can get a leg up on the pain of tomorrow. No pun intended. Below is a list of some simple yoga poses to practice after each workout. 


Pigeon Pose

The pigeon pose is probably one of my favorite yoga poses to practice after hitting the gym. Start with getting on your hands and knees. Then, bring one leg behind you keeping it straight, and bring the other in front of you bent at the knee with your foot facing towards your body. Put both hands on each side of your bent leg and arch your back. If you’re on the more flexible side you can try lowering your upper body over your bent knee to enhance that stretch. Hold this pose for thirty seconds before switching to the other leg.The pigeon pose is a great stretch for your hips, groin, and hamstrings, and helps with your posture and flexibility. 


Knee To Chest

This stretch is pretty self explanatory. Lay flat on your back and bring your left leg to your chest, bending it as you bring it closer to yourself. Hug your knee to your body, and you should feel the stretch in your hamstrings, glutes, and lower back. Hold this position for 20-30 seconds and repeat on your other leg. 


Sphinx 

Start by laying flat on your stomach. Next, bring your hands to lay flat on the floor next to your chest with your elbows facing towards the sky. Lift the upper half of your body off the ground, squeezing your glutes with your pelvis slightly lifted off the floor. Hold this pose for 30-45 seconds and slowly bring yourself back down. This pose is great for your glutes and abs, especially after a particularly grueling ab workout. 


Downward Dog

We’ve all heard of this one before, and that’s because of how great it is. Start standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Lower your hands to the ground near your feet and slowly walk out until your butt is high in the air and you feel a pull in your calves and hamstrings. Hold this pose for 30-45 seconds. Downward Dog is great for circulation and blood flow especially to your head. It also strengthens and energizes your muscles, helping to relieve the ache and stiffness of tomorrow. 

Now that you know a few post workout yoga poses, feel free to try them after your workout and compare how you feel the following days. Good luck!

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