20-Minute Yoga for Hip Opening
The hips respond beautifully to patient, sustained attention. This 20-minute flow works through the hip flexors, outer rotators, and inner groin in a deliberate order, allowing each layer to release before the next is addressed.
Duration
20 minutes
Poses
13 poses
Goal
Hip Opening
The Flow
Janu Sirsasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Sit with both legs extended.
stretches the hamstrings, groin, and lower backAnjaneyasana
1 min(8 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your right foot back into a long lunge position.
stretches the hip flexors and groin of the back leg
Virabhadrasana I
1 min(8 breaths)
From Mountain Pose, step your left foot back about a metre.
strengthens the legs, glutes, and corePaschimottanasana
1 min(8 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended in front of you.
stretches the hamstrings, calves, and spineSalabhasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Lie face down with arms alongside your torso, palms facing up.
strengthens the muscles of the spine, glutes, and backs of the arms and legs
Virabhadrasana II
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
strengthens and tones the legs and anklesUtkatasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose with feet together or hip-width apart.
strengthens the thighs, calves, spine, and anklesUttanasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Stand in Mountain Pose.
deeply stretches the hamstrings, calves, and lower backBaddha Konasana
1 min(8-10 breaths)
Sit on your mat with both legs extended.
opens the inner groins and hip flexors
Trikonasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Stand with feet about a metre apart.
stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and anklesAnanda Balasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Lie on your back.
opens the inner groins and hip flexors
Balasana
1-2 min(10-15 breaths)
Kneel on your mat and bring your big toes to touch behind you.
gently stretches the hips, thighs, and ankles
Savasana
3 min
Allow every muscle to soften completely. This is where the practice integrates.
promotes full recoveryQuick Reference
All 13 poses in this sequence, in order.
- 1Head-to-Knee Pose1 min
- 2Crescent Lunge1 min
- 3Warrior I1 min
- 4Seated Forward Fold1 min
- 5Locust Pose1 min
- 6Warrior II1 min
- 7Chair Pose1 min
- 8Standing Forward Fold1 min
- 9Butterfly Pose1 min
- 10Triangle Pose1-2 min
- 11Happy Baby1-2 min
- 12Child's Pose1-2 min
- 13Corpse Pose3 min
Poses Used in This Sequence
