Stretching exercises and their benefits:
Since the hip is a ball and socket joint, it needs to be flexible to move without pain. Hip stretching exercises can help keep the ball in the socket, while strengthening muscles that support the hips.
The following https://todayevery.com are some of the most common Stretching Exercises for Hip Flexibility :
1. The Handstand:
Start in a headstand. If your headstand is not strong enough, jump your feet into a handstand and support yourself on the floor. If you are comfortable, start progressing by making bigger handstands.
Begin by trying to reach the opposite hand towards the feet. When you master this, begin to slowly walk your feet towards your hands while reaching.
2. The Dragonfly:
This is a good stretch for the groin and hips. Start on all fours with your knees under your hips and hands under your shoulders or slightly forward of them. Keep your back as flat as possible and push your hips up so that you are in an upside-down table position with the floor just above your elbows and shoulders (or head if you can support it). Let your hips drop as far as possible while keeping your back flat.
3. The Basic Lunge:
This exercise is great for stretching the hip flexors, thighs and groin muscles. Stand erect with feet shoulder width apart and your arms hanging at your sides. Step forward with one leg and lower the other behind you until your back knee nearly touches the floor.
Hold this position for a few seconds before stepping back to the starting position. Don’t forget to alternate legs at least six times per leg or more if you can handle it. Try doing this exercise in a rhythmic manner, such as 3 times on one leg, 3 times on the other leg, etc.
4. The Basic Squat:
This exercise is efficient for working out the thighs and buttocks. Stand with your feet close to each other, with your heels nearly touching the floor. Place your hands on your hips or out to the sides for balance if necessary.
Bend at the knees, pushing them outward until your knees are bent to at least 90 degrees. Keep a straight back, head up and chest high as you slowly rise from this position by pushing off from the ground with your feet. Repeat 15 times or more if you can handle it without straining yourself too much.
5. The Advanced Squat:
Do this exercise with caution, because you may possibly injure yourself if you move too quickly. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart and your arms down at your sides for balance. With your knees slightly bent and back straight, bend at the hips until you are as close to the floor as possible.
Continue to hold onto something for support until you become more comfortable with the exercise and can squat on your own. Start off by doing this exercise only a couple of times to get used to it before attempting any squats that go beyond 90 degrees of knee flexion.
6. The Upper Body Stretch:
Stand with your feet together and your arms out. Keeping your back straight, lean forward as far as you can without bending over. Hold this position for several seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating.
Keep your legs and back straight throughout this stretch by using the muscles in your abdomen. This is a great way to relieve tension from a hard workout or sitting at a computer for too long. You can also use the wall instead of someone’s hands to make this exercise easier.
7. The Forward Fold:
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Bend at the waist as you lean forward from your hips. Keep your legs straight, but don’t lock your knees. This is a great stretch for the hamstrings and sciatic nerves in the back of your legs.
8. Kneeling Side Bend:
You can use this stretch to strengthen and stretch the sides of your torso and hip flexors. Kneel down on one knee with your other leg extended behind you with your foot on the floor.
Lean to one side into a side bend so that the hand of that side is resting on the floor while you hold onto a wall or something else for support if necessary. Straighten the opposite leg and repeat on the other side.
9. The Single Leg Stretch:
Place one foot on a chair, wall or table and bring the other foot back as close to your hips as possible. Keep your torso erect with your arms at your sides and head up while balancing on one leg. Push off from that leg to help pull yourself further forward so that you are in an awkward position where only one leg is straightened out behind you.
Hold this stretch for several seconds before returning to the starting position and repeating several times more if you can handle it.
