Nikki Juen of All That Matters, demonstrates and explains standing thigh stretch.
What it is:
This standing thigh stretch is a variation of Tadasana, also known as mountain pose.
What it does:
This standing pose opens the quadricep muscle of the leg and the front of the shoulders while deepening the muscular engagement of the whole body as you balance on one leg. If you can't reach your ankle you can also use a belt or strap. Practice near a wall for even more support.
How to do it:
Stand with feet six-inches apart and press down equally into both feet, take a deep breath and allow the weight of the entire body to be centrally located over the feet. Make both legs strong, until you feel the muscles engage on all sides of the legs, all the way up to the hips.
Inhale and tone the low belly drawing it in towards the spine. Exhale and allow the shoulder blades to move towards the spine and down the back. Take three grounding breaths here with the hands near the thighs while the jaw and facial muscles remain supple.
With the standing leg strong, bend one knee keeping both thighs parallel. Interlace both hands or belt around the ankle pressing the foot AWAY from the hips as you open the front of your body. Keep the bent knee next to the standing knee and facing the floor.
Breathe deeply for five breaths, lengthening the body away from the ground with each inhale. As you exhale the fifth breath, release the bent knee and switch to the other leg.
Nikki Juen,
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