Active recovery is essential for athletes seeking optimal performance, faster repair and reduced injury risk. This bundle of 20 stretches highlight how low-intensity movement improves blood circulation, promotes muscle regeneration and enhances flexibility. Furthermore, it aids metabolic waste removal, boosts lymphatic flow and supports mental rejuvenation. Additionally, incorporating active recovery strategies accelerates adaptation, maintains training consistency and fosters long-term resilience, ultimately contributing to sustainable athletic development.
RELIEVE LOWER BACK TENSION WITH THE CHILD’S POSE
The Child’s Pose is a calming yoga stretch that gently releases tension in the lower back. By kneeling, extending the arms forward and lowering the forehead to the floor, this pose stretches the spine, hips and thighs. It encourages deep relaxation, particularly after prolonged sitting. Practising t...
EASE YOUR BACK PAIN WITH THE KNEE‑TO‑CHEST STRETCH
The Knee-to-Chest Stretch is designed to gently release tightness in the lower back muscles. While lying flat, you draw one knee toward your chest and hold the position to stretch the lumbar spine. This movement is particularly useful after standing for long periods or following physical exertion. I...
RELIEVE YOUR BACK TENSION WITH THE PIGEON POSE
The Pigeon Pose is a deep hip-opening stretch that also alleviates lower back tension. By extending one leg behind you and folding the other in front, the pose encourages release in the glutes, hips and lumbar region. It’s ideal for addressing discomfort related to tight hips, which often contribute...
SEATED FORWARD BEND IMPROVES SPINAL FLEXIBILITY
The Seated Forward Bend is a soothing stretch that targets the entire length of the spine. Sitting with your legs extended, you gently fold forward to reach towards the toes, elongating the back and hamstrings. This pose calms the nervous system while reducing tension in the lower back. It’s particu...
THE SPINAL TWIST IMPROVES MOBILITY AND POSTURE
The Spinal Twist is a rejuvenating stretch that improves mobility in the spine and realigns posture. While seated or lying down, gently rotating the torso to one side stretches the back muscles, shoulders and hips. This motion helps alleviate tightness from sedentary habits and improves overall spin...
EASE BACK PAIN WITH STANDING HAMSTRING STRETCHES
Standing Hamstring Stretches release tightness in the back of the legs and support lower back relief. By bending forward at the hips with straight legs, the stretch targets the hamstrings, which are often linked to lower back discomfort when tight. This stretch improves flexibility, supports pelvic...
PROMOTE YOUR SPINAL ALIGNMENT WITH BRIDGE POSES
The Bridge Pose is a foundational exercise that strengthens the glutes and lower back muscles. By lifting the hips off the ground while lying on your back, you create space in the spine and activate the core. This pose supports spinal alignment, reduces tension and enhances lower body stability. It’...
THE COBRA POSE EASES TENSION IN YOUR UPPER BACK
Cobra Pose is a gentle yet effective backbend that stretches the spine and opens the chest. Lying on your stomach and lifting your chest using your arms promotes spinal extension, relieving upper back and shoulder tension. It improves posture and helps combat the effects of slouching. This pose is a...
IMPROVE SPINAL FLEXIBILITY WITH CAT-COW STRETCHES
Cat-Cow Stretches are gentle, flowing movements that enhance spinal flexibility and relieve back tension. By alternating between arching and rounding the spine while breathing deeply, you stimulate blood flow and loosen the back muscles. This sequence is especially helpful for counteracting stiffnes...
THREAD THE NEEDLE FOR UPPER BACK PAIN RELIEF
Thread the Needle is a calming stretch that releases tension in the shoulders and upper back. Starting on all fours, you reach one arm under the body and gently lower the shoulder and ear to the floor, creating a gentle twist. This pose stretches the thoracic spine and enhances mobility. It’s partic...
THE HAPPY BABY POSE EASES LOWER BACK DISCOMFORT
Happy Baby Pose is a deeply relaxing posture that stretches the lower back and hips. While lying on your back, you hold onto your feet and gently pull your knees towards your chest, encouraging spinal release. This pose helps reduce compression in the lumbar area and promotes calmness. It’s especial...
EASE BACK PAIN WITH THE LYING SPINAL TWIST
The Lying Spinal Twist is an accessible stretch that gently releases tension across the entire spine. Lying on your back with bent knees, you lower the legs to one side while keeping the shoulders grounded. This movement decompresses the lower back, stretches the glutes and obliques and supports spi...
EASE BACK TENSION WITH THE BUTTERFLY STRETCHES
The Butterfly Stretch is excellent for loosening the hips and alleviating pressure in the lower back. Seated with the soles of your feet together, gently lowering the knees toward the ground stretches the inner thighs and lumbar region. This pose supports pelvic alignment, enhances flexibility and i...
RELIEVE TIGHTNESS WITH SUPINE HAMSTRING STRETCH
The Supine Hamstring Stretch targets the back of the legs and the lower back. Lying flat with one leg extended upward, you hold the thigh or calf to gently stretch the hamstrings. This position reduces tightness in the legs and relieves pressure on the lumbar spine. It’s particularly helpful for tho...
DOWNWARD‑FACING DOG ENHANCES BODY ALIGNMENT
Downward-Facing Dog is a classic yoga pose that elongates the spine and stretches the entire back chain. With your body in an inverted V-shape, you lengthen the back, hamstrings and calves while engaging the shoulders and arms. This full-body stretch supports proper posture and improves flexibility....
EASE STIFFNESS AND BACK PAIN WITH THE CAT STRETCH
The Cat Stretch is a simple yet effective movement that relieves back stiffness and promotes spinal fluidity. While on all fours, arching the back upwards allows the spine to decompress and the surrounding muscles to relax. This pose is often paired with the Cow Stretch for a balanced flow. It’s ide...
LIMIT YOUR LOWER BACK PAIN WITH THE SPHINX POSE
Sphinx Pose is a gentle and beginner-friendly backbend that strengthens the lower spine and increases flexibility. Lying face-down, you prop yourself up on your forearms and lift your chest, activating the lower back and abdominal muscles. This pose helps reduce lumbar tightness, encourages spinal e...
RELIEVE BACK TENSION WITH THE RECLINED PIGEON POSE
The Reclined Pigeon Pose is a gentle modification of the traditional Pigeon, aimed at relaxing the hips and easing lower back stress. While lying on your back, you cross one ankle over the opposite knee and gently pull the supporting leg in towards the chest. This pose opens the hip area, releases t...
THE SIDE STRETCH RELEASES TIGHTNESS IN THE BACK
The Side Stretch is a standing or seated pose that targets the muscles along the sides of the torso and back. Raising one arm overhead and bending to the opposite side elongates the spine and improves flexibility in the obliques and latissimus dorsi. This movement is particularly helpful for releasi...
IMPROVE YOUR POSTURE BY IMPLEMENTING PELVIC TILTS
Pelvic Tilts help to strengthen the core and stabilise the lower spine, promoting better posture. By lying on your back with bent knees and tilting the pelvis upward while tightening the abdominal muscles, you gently engage the lumbar region. This stretch is highly effective in reducing lower back p...