Can’t even bend to touch your toes? Let these 8 yoga asanas make you flexible

Can’t bend and touch your toes? Before you embrace the curse of inflexibility for life, know that yoga can change your body. The ancient practice of yoga has many asanas that can make you flexible in a safe manner. And if you believe yoga is for people who are already flexible, then you’re highly mistaken! 

In fact, trying yoga poses for flexibility is a great idea—one that is often recommended by health experts. The principle of yoga is to keep the body active, which slowly enhances the overall flexibility in your body. The only thing you as a beginner need to keep in mind is to begin with slow-paced asanas that can stretch your entire body.

To that end, here are some super-easy yoga poses for flexibility that all beginners can try:

1. Tree pose or vrksasana

Start your yoga journey with the tree pose which is also known as a one-legged balancing pose. This pose doesn’t require flexibility; rather, it needs balance. So, the regular practice of vrksasana can improve balance and strengthen the bones of your hips and legs. To get into the pose try to centre your body weight, stand on your right leg (your right foot resting on your right inner thigh)and put your hands together in front of you. Hold, breath and switch legs. 

2. Bridge pose or setu bandha sarvangasana

This is a good asana for inflexible people as it stretches the chest, neck, and spine. At the same time, it also helps to rejuvenate tired legs. When you get into the position, try to hold the pose so as to stimulate the abdominal organs. If you practice it daily, you can not only boost flexibility—but also reduce knee and back pain.

3. Wide-legged standing forward bend or ardha uttanasana

Bending forward can be difficult if you have tight hamstrings and hips, or tightness in your lower back. To solve this problem, you need to practice the wide-legged standing forward bend. This pose is about stretching the back of your legs, hamstrings, and your back. Bend your body forward until you feel a stretch in your legs and make sure your lower back doesn’t bend or buckle. 

4. Cat-cow pose or chakravakasana

The cat-cow pose is a gentle flow that brings flexibility to the spine and neck, and softly strengthens the abdomen, hips, and shoulder. It also opens the chest and promotes healthy breathing patterns. You can start practicing this pose without worry about flexibility levels. 

5. Downward facing dog or adho mukha svanasana

Can’t keep your knees straight while doing the downward facing dog? Don’t sweat because even if you bend your knees, you’ll get the flexibility-building benefits of this asana. All you need to ensure is that your back is straight. 

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6. Chair pose or utkatasana

Utkatasana is a challenging pose that strengthens your thighs and ankles and tones your leg muscles. It’s one of the best stretches for inflexible people as it’s relatively easy to do and feels great. Also, it’s a great pose to reduce stiffness. 

7. Plank pose or phalakasana

Yes, the plank is actually a yoga pose that can even be done by inflexible peeps out there! Instead, you need to focus on keeping your body straight and holding the pose for a few seconds which creates tension in your core, legs, and arms—hence toning the muscles.

8. Child’s pose or balasana

While performing any pose if you get tired, then you can switch to the child’s pose! It calms your mind and stretches back muscles. Not to mention, it is easy to do. 

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You probably won’t be able to nail all the yoga poses immediately, but the regular practice of these yoga poses can help you loosen your tight muscles which can improve your flexibility.