Exercise of the Week - Lunge Stretch on the Ball

One of the biggest problems many of us have is tight hip flexors. The hip flexors are actually a series of muscles that run along the front of the hips and these muscles can become tight from too much sitting, something many of us are guilty of (myself included). Tight hip flexors can cause a number of problems, including lower back pain...when those muscles are too tight, your pelvis tilts forwards which scrunches up your lower back. Scrunching is a technical term, of course.

One of my favorite ways to stretch this area is with the Lunge Stretch on the Ball. The idea is to position the ball so that you can lean into it, allowing it to support your body while you get a great stretch.

Do it right: Kneel in front of the ball and take the right leg forward into a lunge, positioning the ball so that the knee and left hip are pressing into the ball (you can prop the ball against a wall for added stability if needed). Lunge forward, allowing the ball to support you as you sweep the arms overhead, deepening the stretch. Hold for 30 or more seconds and switch sides.

For more, visit my Yoga on the Ball Workout.