Yoga for Stretching: Best Yoga Stretches You Can Do Daily to Increase Flexibility

Yoga for stretching provides a plethora of physical and mental benefits and can help build coordination, flexibility, and strength in the body.

With complicated stretches and acrobatic stunts, yoga for stretching might seem like a daunting task, especially in cases of stiffness and muscle pain. In this article, we will discuss the best yoga for stretching exercises along with why it's important to build flexibility.

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Why Yoga for Flexibility is Important?

Warrior II yoga pose (Image via Pexels/Alexy Almond)

Yoga for stretching is important, as it helps in stretching the muscles and allow you to move better. It helps in alleviating muscle tightness and releasing tension, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Yoga stretching can also be used before or after workouts, which helps in preparing the muscles.

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10-Minute Yoga Stretch to Increase Flexibility

Here are some yoga for flexibility exercises:

#1 Warrior II

Warrior II is among the best yoga for stretching that increases both stamina and strength of the body. It also help in boosting balance.

How to do Warrior II?

Begin in a tall standing posture with your legs 3-4 feet apart. Raise both arms so that they're parallel to the ground. with the right foot angled to the front and the opposite feet at about 45 degrees.

Bend your front knee so that it's directly above the ankle. Try to keep your rear thigh parallel to the ground. Hold before releasing. Repeat.

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#2 Downward Facing Dog

Upward facing dog (Image via Pexels/Valeria Ushakova)

This is among the effective yoga for stretching poses that open up the calves, hamstrings, and shoulders. It also helps build strength in the upper back and shoulders.

How to do downward facing dog?

Start this yoga pose in a tabletop position with your knees and hips in alignment and hands and shoulders in alignment. Raise your knees off the ground, and elevate your hips pointedly to the ceiling.

Lower your heels to the ground while straightening the knees. Press onto your fingertips while maintaining your head in between your arms, and gaze towards your legs. Hold and release.

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#3 Seated Forward Bend

This yoga for stretching can help build healthy spine and flexible hamstrings along with increasing flexibility.

How to do seated forward bend?

Begin in a seated manner on the ground, with the legs extended to the front. Lean forward from the hip joints to grasp your toes. Make sure to maintain a good body posture. Release and repeat.

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#4 Half Lord of the Fishes

This yoga for stretching can help improve posture and boost energy levels. It also stimulates the digestive organs along with stretching the upper body and aligning the spine.

How to do half lord of the fishes?

Start in a seated manner on the ground with the legs straightened to the front before bringing one foot and positioning it on the side of the opposite hip. Twist your torso to feel the stretch in your body, and hold it. Gently release, and repeat on the other side.

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#5 Bridge Pose

Warrior III Pose (Image via Pexels/Alexy Almond)

This is also dynamic yoga for stretching that can be incorporated into your routine to open your shoulders and chest along with building strength of your glutes.

How to do glute pose?

Start by laying down on the ground with your feet on the floor and knees pointing to the ceiling. Squeeze your glutes before elevating your hips off the ground. Make sure the knees stay above your ankles. Hold before releasing.

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The aforementionedyoga for stretching poses should be incorporated into your regular routine for the benefits they provide.

Besides stretching the body and increasing flexibility, these poses provide benefits including strengthening the posterior chain, releasing tension, alleviating tightness, and improving mobility.