Hip Stretches For Runners

Urban Yoga instructor Melanie Swan shows you three poses that will help you stretch out post run

Runner’s Lunge With A Twist
Standing tall, step forward with your left foot and drop into a low lunge. Keep your knee in line with your toes and over your ankle. Drop your right knee onto the floor, while keeping your hips square. Twist your torso towards your left knee. Place your right palm on the floor and hold your left arm above you and in line with your shoulders. Look towards your hand. Twist from your torso and not your shoulders. Hold for two minutes. Now repeat with the other leg.

Hamstring Opener
Take a low lunge position, with your left leg in front. Keep your hips square. Rest your right knee on the floor. Straighten your left leg and point your toes towards the ceiling so that you activate your thigh. It’s not about how low you go, but how effective the stretch is. Don’t hunch over. Hold for two minutes. Repeat on the other side.

Thread The Needle
Lie on your back on the mat. Place your left ankle onto your right thigh, just above the knee. Make sure that your left foot is flexed to protect your joint. Interlace your hands behind your right thigh or above your shin.  Gently pull your right knee towards you. This acts as a lever to open your hips. Hold for two minutes. Repeat with the other leg.

Urban Yoga offer classes at the XVA Gallery in DIFC and The Archive in Safa Park. The team is also about to open its new studio in Business Bay in October. Classes priced from Dhs50. To find out more visit www.urbanyoga.ae