PSA: Any Boston peeps around?! I'll be leading three workshops at Hotel Marlowe in June. Sign up now, as space is limited!
One of the more common questions I get it is how to use yoga to build back body strength, since a lot of the postures are for front body, core, or upper body strength. It's a tough one. Locust poses can be helpful, as they are great for back, butt and hamstrings. But there really aren't a ton of poses that build strength through the back body, although there are a ton to stretch the back body like forward fold, rag doll and more. So in today's post, I keep you on the yoga mat, but bring in a great prop you don't see too often in the yoga practice - the stability ball.
There are so many ways to use a stability ball - especially for building strength for things like handstand, but for our purposes today we're talking about hamstring strength.
1. We are going to start by putting our feet on the top of the ball with our legs extended. Then, press into the heels of your feet to lift your hips. Slowly, drag your feet in towards your butt using the activation of your glutes and hamstrings. We'll do that ten times.
2. On the tength rep of the previous movement, you'll extend the legs in so your feet are on top of the ball. Then, pulsate your hips up and down for ten.
3. At the end of the tenth rep, use your heels to pull your feet in towards your butt, and with your knees pointed up to the sky, pulsate your butt up and down for ten.
Then you have the option to stop there, or keep going for one or two more rounds.
I hope you enjoy! Please let me know how it went for you down in the comments section below!