How to Improve Your Flexibility for Beginners

/ Movement, Flexibility

There are lots of online resources out there for beginners who would like to improve their flexibility. You can probably find a new flexibility routine to follow for each day. The key is to stay consistent and make sure you stretch for at least 15 minutes every single day.

I decided to work on my flexibility as a beginner in January 2021. Now I can do the front splits, my wheel looks pretty good, and I am working on my king pigeon. If you are starting and would like a full-body beginner flexibility routine, this post is for you. The video routine below includes my favorite multipurpose stretches.

If you want a step-by-step program that will take you from stiff to bendy in months, I recommend you check out my 3-phase program, Moving With Intention.

How to Improve Your Flexibitily for Beginners

Here’s a quick overview of some of my favorite stretches in my full-body beginner routine. Hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.

Butterfly Stretch

Sit on the mat and bring your feet together. Keep your spine straight, and move your upper body forward to feel the stretch in your inner hips. The soles of your feet don’t have to stay glued together. You can let them open up towards the ceiling.

Chest and Shoulder Stretch

Stretching your chest and shoulders is essential to any full-body flexibility routine. You can do the chest and shoulder stretch either standing or sitting. Extend one arm up and bend at the elbow. Take the other arm and place your hand on the bent elbow to press your bent arm back and feel the stretch at the tricep and shoulder.

Pigeon

The pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana) is one of the most multipurpose stretches I know. It will stretch your inner hips, hip flexors, quads, and back.

Bring one leg forward as if going into a deep lunge (with both hands on the mat), but take your knee down on the outside of the same hand. The straight leg will be lowered down on the mat as you bend your knee. Your bent leg may be at a 90-degree angle with your shin parallel to the top of your mat, or you may bring your foot closer to the hip with the straight leg.

Keep your hips square, and lift your upper body through your chest. You will likely feel the stretch in your lower back and your legs.

Forward Fold

The forward fold, whether wide-legged or not, is an effective stretch accessible for beginners. Beginners may use yoga blocks to rest their hands if they cannot reach the floor. The standing forward fold stretches your hamstrings, but the wide-legged forward fold (about 3 feet apart) stretches your inner hips.

Cobra

The cobra pose is an excellent back flexibility exercise that works well for beginners who want to improve their flexibility because it can easily be adapted to suit your level. Lie prone on the mat and bring your arms to you at a 90-degree angle. If you feel the stretch, stay there. If you want more, straighten your arms to lift your upper body. Your legs, hips, and feet are staying flat on the mat.

Half Side Splits

My full-body beginner flexibility routine includes many great stretches, and I found it challenging to narrow it down to my six favorites. The last one was tough to pick. I ended up settling on the half-side splits because they stretch your inner hips and the whole back of your legs, and you can also use them to stretch your side body.

Kneel on the mat and straighten one leg to your side into a side splits. Stretch your straight leg as far as possible and feel your inner thigh stretch. Lift your upper body as you lower the right hand (if your right leg is straight) slowly down towards your right foot. Lift your left hand and pull straight toward your right as you feel the stretch in the left side of your body.

Full-Body Beginner Flexibility Routine

Getting flexible is all about consistency. Remember to join my 5-Day Yoga Habit Challenge for additional help. Plus, here are some newer flexibility routines you may want to try: