Use this builder when you want a balanced mix of release and light activation across your hips and core.
Upward Salute
Duration: 00:30
Sweep your arms skyward in upward salute to lengthen your spine and awaken your upper body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet hip-width apart and arms at your sides.
- Sweep your arms out and up overhead, keeping hands shoulder-width apart.
- Reach toward the ceiling while relaxing your shoulders and gazing slightly upward.
Tips
- Ground evenly through both feet.
- Engage your core to avoid arching your lower back.
Adjustments
- Place your hands behind your head or on your hips if raising them overhead feels intense.
Wide Leg Bend
Duration: 00:30
Fold forward with legs wide to stretch your hamstrings, hips, and lower back.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Stand with feet wide and toes pointing forward.
- Hinge at your hips to fold forward, lowering your torso toward your legs.
- Relax your head, neck, and arms, aiming to place your palms on the floor.
Tips
- Lengthen through your spine as you fold.
- Keep legs straight but avoid locking your knees.
- Hold ankles and draw your head closer if you want more stretch.
Adjustments
- Rest hands on shins or blocks if the floor feels far away.
Lunge
Duration: 00:30
Sink into a kneeling lunge to stretch your hip flexors and lengthen the front of your body.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start kneeling and step one foot forward, planting it flat in front of you.
- Press your hips forward as you raise both arms overhead.
- Lift through your chest and reach toward the ceiling while breathing deeply.
Tips
- Keep the front knee stacked over the ankle for stability.
- Press the top of your back foot into the floor to engage the rear leg.
- Stay tall through your torso to avoid dumping into the lower back.
Adjustments
- Rest your hands on your front thigh if reaching overhead feels intense.
- Place a towel or cushion under your back knee for comfort.
- Hold onto a wall or chair for balance when needed.
Reverse Lunge
Duration: 01:00
From a kneeling stance, extend one leg forward to stretch the backside while keeping your balance dialed in.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Begin kneeling with knees hip-width apart and tops of your feet on the floor.
- Extend one leg forward, pressing the heel into the ground and keeping the leg straight.
- Hinge at your hips to lower the torso toward the floor, placing hands down for balance.
- Hold the stretch briefly, then switch legs.
Tips
- Keep your chest lifted and back long even as you hinge forward.
Adjustments
- Place a folded blanket under your kneeling knee for comfort.
Cat Cow
Duration: 00:30
Flow through cat and cow to mobilize your spine and melt away stiffness one breath at a time.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Begin on hands and knees with wrists under shoulders and knees under hips.
- Inhale as you drop your belly, lift your chest, and gaze forward or slightly up.
- Exhale as you round your spine, draw the belly toward the ceiling, and tuck your chin.
- Continue gliding between the two shapes in rhythm with your breath.
Tips
- Move slowly enough that each vertebra gets a moment of attention.
Adjustments
- Keep your head more neutral if your neck prefers less movement.
Upward Dog
Duration: 00:30
Press into upward dog to open your chest and stretch the front of your body with strength.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your stomach with legs extended and hands under your shoulders.
- Press into your palms, straighten your arms, and lift your chest and thighs off the floor.
- Relax your shoulders away from your ears and gaze slightly upward.
Tips
- Only your palms and the tops of your feet should touch the floor.
- Keep arms straight without locking your elbows.
Adjustments
- Keep thighs on the floor for a gentler version if needed.
Child's Pose
Duration: 00:30
Melt into child's pose to reset your breath and relax the back with a calming stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Start on hands and knees, then widen your knees while keeping big toes touching.
- Sit your hips back toward your heels and reach your hands forward.
- Lower your chest between your thighs and rest your forehead on the floor or a support.
Tips
- Crawl your fingertips forward to deepen the stretch through the sides of your body.
- Let your chest sink toward the ground with each exhale.
Adjustments
- Keep knees closer together if that feels better for your hips.
- Rest your forehead on a block, pillow, or folded blanket if it does not reach the floor.
Frog Pose
Duration: 00:30
Ease into frog pose to open your inner thighs and give your hips a deep, satisfying stretch.
Difficulty: Intermediate
Instructions
- Start on hands and knees, then lower to your forearms.
- Slide your knees out to the sides with hips in line with knees and toes turned outward.
- Press your hips back toward your heels to deepen the stretch while breathing steadily.
Tips
- Keep your chest lifted slightly so your spine stays long.
Adjustments
- Bring knees closer together or place blankets under them for less intensity.
Butterfly
Duration: 00:30
Drop into butterfly pose to open the hips and groin while you breathe space into tight muscles.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Sit tall with legs extended, then bend your knees and bring the soles of your feet together.
- Hold your feet or ankles and let your knees fall out to the sides.
- Press the knees gently toward the floor while keeping the spine long.
Tips
- Use your elbows to nudge the thighs downward only if it feels comfortable.
- Lift through the chest and avoid rounding your back.
Adjustments
- Place cushions under your thighs when the hips need extra support.
- Sit on a folded blanket to elevate your seat and create more ease.
Knees-to-Chest
Duration: 00:30
Hug your knees to your chest to release the lower back and gently stretch the hips.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend both knees and draw them toward your chest.
- Wrap your arms around your shins and hug the knees in, breathing deeply.
Tips
- Let your head and neck relax on the floor.
- Keep your lower back gently pressing into the mat.
Adjustments
- Hold behind your thighs instead of the shins if that feels better for your body.
Bridge
Duration: 00:30
Lift into a grounded bridge to awaken glutes and hamstrings while giving your spine a friendly stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent, feet hip-width, and arms relaxed by your sides.
- Press through both heels to raise your hips, creating a straight line from knees to shoulders.
- Hold the lift with glutes fired up and breathe into your ribs before lowering with control.
Tips
- Squeeze the glutes at the top so the work stays in the backside instead of the low back.
- Keep ribs down and core engaged to prevent excessive arching.
Adjustments
- Lift the hips to a halfway point if you want a lighter option.
- Rest your head on a folded towel when the neck needs extra support.
Pelvic Tilt Press
Duration: 00:30
Use a gentle pelvic tilt to teach your lower back how to relax and your core how to engage.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Engage your core to tilt your pelvis upward and press your lower back into the mat.
- Keep arms relaxed by your sides and hold the position for a breath before releasing.
Tips
- Draw your navel toward your spine to initiate the movement.
- Let your glutes stay soft so the action comes from your core.
Adjustments
- Perform the same motion standing with your back against a wall if the floor feels uncomfortable.
Lying Figure Four
Duration: 01:00
Ease into a lying figure four to release tight glutes and soothe your lower back.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Cross one ankle over the opposite thigh just above the knee.
- Lift the bottom leg and clasp hands behind the thigh, gently pulling the legs toward your chest.
Tips
- Relax your head and shoulders on the floor.
- Keep your lower back pressing gently into the mat.
Adjustments
- Loop a strap behind your thigh if reach is an issue.
- Leave the bottom foot on the floor for a lighter stretch.
Reclined Butterfly
Duration: 00:30
Lie back and let your knees fall wide to gently open your hips and ease your spine.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.
- Bring the soles of your feet together and allow knees to fall out to the sides.
- Rest your arms by your sides with palms facing up and breathe into the stretch.
Tips
- Let gravity open your hips without forcing them.
Adjustments
- Place cushions or blocks under your thighs for support if needed.
Spinal Twist
Duration: 01:00
Twist gently on your back to stretch your spine, chest, and glutes all at once.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with legs extended and arms by your sides.
- Bend one knee and place the foot on the floor.
- Lower the bent knee across your body toward the opposite side while your torso and hips twist.
- Place your opposite hand on the outside of the bent knee and extend the other arm out to the side.
Tips
- Keep both shoulders grounded on the floor.
Adjustments
- Support the bent knee with a cushion or block if needed.
Happy Baby
Duration: 00:30
Rock into happy baby to soothe your lower back and open your hips with a playful stretch.
Difficulty: Beginner
Instructions
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat.
- Lift your feet and draw knees toward your armpits.
- Grab the outer edges of your feet and gently pull your knees toward the floor while keeping your low back grounded.
Tips
- Press your tailbone toward the floor to keep the lower back happy.
- Relax your shoulders and jaw while you breathe.
Adjustments
- Hold your ankles or calves if reaching your feet is a stretch today.
Notice the sense of support at your center and carry that into the rest of your day.
