Regular Stretching Program

Limber up your lower body by performing the figure-four stretch. It will stretch your hamstring and buttocks.

Follow these simple steps:

• 1. Lie face up the floor with knees bent and feet flat. Lift right foot and place outside of right ankle on left thigh, just above the knee pointing out.
• 2. Lifting left foot and bending hand to 90 degrees, place left hand back of left thigh and reach right hand between legs so both hands meet behind left thigh.
• 3. Inhale, then exhale as you straightens left leg, pulling the left thigh toward chest and keeping hips centered. You will feel the stretch in the right side of your buttocks and or left hamstrings.
• 4. Hold for a count of 10, breathing evenly, then slowly release and lower left foot to floor.
• 5. Repeat for a total of 3-4 times, and then switch legs.

Perform this move as part of a regular stretching program. Aim to stretch for a total of 5-10 minutes a day, 4-5 days a week or after you perform any type of activity.

Keep the knee of the raised leg bent to target the buttocks more, after 4-6 weeks or when ready challenge your flexibility by grasping your leg around the calf instead of the thigh, keeping knee slightly bent.

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