Begin in a half-kneeling position, one knee up and the other on the ground, hands on hips (A). Shift your weight into the “up” leg, and press into the floor to come to a stand, bringing both feet together (B). Lower back down to kneeling.
Downward Dog uses the strength of your arms and legs to fully and evenly stretch your spine. It stretches your hips, hamstrings, and calves as it strengthens your quadriceps and ankles. It opens your chest and shoulders and tones your arms and abdominals.
This stretch is designed target your hamstrings. By starting with the knee slightly bent, it can help hit those sometimes pesky and sleep hamstrings. Ensure that you keep your hips square on but if you need to – don’t be shy in shifting your hip position in order to find some of the tighter fibres in your hamstrings.
This stretch will increase the flexibility in our hamstrings and lower back. It’s also a good stretch to continue doing over time to see whether your flexibility has increased!