YogaToTheCore Day 11: Supta Padangusthasana mmm hmmm, yes. Or, Reclining Big Toe Pose. Orrrrr just call it a day and call it as you see it – a really lovely hamstring stretch 😉

Reclining Big Toe Pose

If your super tight in the hammies, this is a nice place to start & maybe even stay to gently work your way into the back of the legs.

Continuing to pull back while lifting up off the mat, this will work into the hamstrings a bit deeper.
You want to actively push the opposite hip point down (it will naturally want to pop up)
and this will give you a nice stretch in the hip flexor, too.
Don’t let this pose fool ya, your engaging more muscles than you think — engage your quad (front of the thigh) to help the hamstring release, pull the leg back using bicep strength, lift up off the mat using your abs + push low back into the mat. This helps to traction the spine and relieve tension/tightness in the back. Quite the posture here.
Side Note: I seem to be enjoying the smell of my pants or something in this shot??

Scissors Crunch

And a little bonus ab exercise – Scissors! yayyye In my opinion, this is a nice segue from Reclining Big Toe Pose since you’ve warmed up a lot of the same muscles from your stretch that you use for the scissor crunch. Similar to yesterday’s bicycle exercise, but a bit more advanced and challenging with straight legs. Point the toes, engage the quads and slowly switch the legs as your rotate your core with control.