I’m all about stretching my hips and have gotten even more fervent about it.  I read somewhere it’s a good focus for winter.  I say it’s a good focus anytime we’re stupidly busy and stressed and sitting instead of playing beach volleyball.  Hey like now, in December!

Try this routine on the mat after a good warm-up that includes lunges, forward bends and pigeon pose.  Hold each of these for a few breaths.  Try to relax your lower body as much as you can in each position to get maximum benefit from the stretch.

 - Lying on your back squeeze both knees into your chest.

- Then cross your right knee over your left and squeeze both legs into your chest

- Straighten your left leg, let it rest on the mat and squeeze your right knee into your chest.  Anytime you feel you need more stretch with the first three, press your tailbone down toward the mat.

- Grab the inside of your right foot.  Bend your knee and flex your foot so that both joints are at right angles.  Then press your knee toward the floor just outside your torso, like it’s tucking into your armpit.  I think of this as Half Happy Baby/Dead Bug pose.  You’ll feel this one primarily where your leg and butt connect.

- Let go of that foot, but keeping your right leg in the same position, let it cross over your body into a twist.  Grab the outside of your right foot this time with your left hand.  Let your right arm stretch along the floor at shoulder level to ground you.  Hold your right leg in position to maintain a stretch.  I find that the key here is the right angles in knee/ankle and then deepening the twist, your right leg might rest on the floor here, or close to it.  You’ll feel this one in your right butt and vicinity.  It’s yummy.

And start the routine again for the left side.