Get a well-rounded yoga practice by incorporating deep yoga stretches into your repertoire of warriors, triangles and arm-balance poses. Help Guide emphasizes that slow movements and gentle stretches work best to relieve stress. According to the Better Health Channel, yoga improves mobility by working all of the joints through their full range of motion. Remember to warm-up with several rounds of sun salutations A and B, or another activity, before holding deep stretches.
Sphinx Pose
Along with being a good stretch to release stress, the sphinx pose is an accessible back-bending pose for beginners, according to Yoga Journal. Lie on your stomach with your elbows on the floor, directly under your shoulders. Keep your feet close and your buttocks in a soft contraction. Maintain a neutral facial expression as you hold the pose for five to 10 breaths. Release your upper body to the floor and relax.
Bridge Pose
Lie on your back for bridge pose. Bring your heels in toward your body so that they are about 3 to 5 inches away from your buttocks. Lift your hips off of the floor. Clasp your hands together under your body and tuck your shoulder blades together. Keep your knees from splaying out to your sides. Keep your neck and shoulders soft. Hold up to one minute. Bridge pose helps you stretch your chest.
Extended Side Angle Pose
Extended side angle pose stretches the sides of your body, your shoulders and your inner thighs. From a wide-standing, straddle position, turn your right foot out 90 degrees. Point your foot directly to your right. Bend your right knee. Your knee should remain over your ankle and not beyond. Bend your arm and place it on the top of your right thigh. Reach your left arm straight up or over the side of your head. Keep your straight leg active and avoid leaning onto your right arm. To stretch your inner thigh, bring your right hand to the floor, keeping your arm and inner thigh pressed together. Hold for five to seven breaths on each side.
Fire Log Pose
Yoga Journal recommends using fire log pose to provide a deep stretch to the outer hips. From a seated, cross-legged position, slide your right shin away from yourself until it is parallel to the top edge of your yoga mat or blanket. Place your left shin on top of your right shin. Keep your feet gently flexed so they are comfortable. When you look down, the space in between your legs should look like a trapezoid or triangle. Hold this stretch for up to one minute on each side. Try leaning forward, with your hands on the floor in front of you, to increase the stretch, if desired. If the position of the legs in fire log pose is too intense, work on walking your hands out in front of you from a your seated, cross-legged position.
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