Much of this is cut and pasted from nike.com.
Hamstring Stretch
- Lay on your back with feet planted in front of you
- Raise your right leg towards you and hold on to the back of it with both hands, fingers interlocked
- Exhale as you slowly encourage your leg towards you
- Hold for 60 seconds
- Switch legs
Standing Quad Stretch
- Start in a standing position with your feet together
- Raise your right foot up from the ground and grab it with your right hand
- Keep your knees as close together as possible
- Gently pull your heel towards your glutes
- Hold for 60 seconds
- Switch to the other leg
Pigeon Stretch
- Sit on the floor with your feet together and knees out wide
- Adjust your positioning so that your right foot and right shin stay put while your leg left is straightened behind you
- Your knee may need to come inwards but keep your right ankle in front of your left hip and your hips square
- Try to lower your upper body towards the ground and take a few deep breaths
- Hold the position for 60 seconds before changing sides onto your left leg with your right leg outstretched
Figure-Four Hip Flexor Stretch
- Lay on the floor with your feet planted in front of you and your knees bent
- Bring your left foot over your right knee, with your left knee bending outwards
- Gently raise your right leg off the ground, towards you
- Hold onto the back of your right thigh
- Exhale and gently draw your thigh towards you
- Hold for 60 seconds before changing legs
Seated Single-Leg Calf Stretch
- Sit on the floor with your feet together and knees out wide
- Straighten your left leg, keeping your right foot touching the inner thigh
- Hinge at the hip towards your left leg and reach out to grab your big toe on the left foot
- Flex your left foot and gently draw it towards you to stretch your calf and Achilles tendon in your ankle
- Hold for 60 seconds before changing sides
Downward-Facing Dog
- Start on all fours with your hands shoulder-width apart
- Inhale as you push your glutes in the air, coming up from each knee, with your feet planted hip-width apart
- Your arms and legs should be straightened, creating an inverted V-shape
- You can paddle out your feet from side to side to get a deeper stretch in your legs and ankles
- If you have tight hamstrings, you may need to bend your knees slightly to get both feet planted on the floor