Are your hips also stuck? Get amazing ease in walking with these yogasanas of just 5 minutes:

Lucknow. Today’s ‘sitting job’ and the compulsion to sit in front of the computer for hours has made our hips as hard as stone. This stiffness of hips not only affects the way we walk, but it also becomes the main cause of lower back pain and knee pain.

The good thing is that you do not need to sweat for hours in the gym to make your hips flexible again. According to yoga science, just 5 minutes of regular practice can open the ‘lock’ of your hips. Here are some selected yoga asanas which give maximum results in less time.

5 minute ‘quick yoga’ to relieve stiffness in hips

1. Seated Hip Circles

This is the easiest way to overcome stagnation. Sitting straight, slowly rotate your torso in a circular direction. It produces ‘lubrication’ in the joints and increases blood circulation.

2. Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana)

If you sit all day long, then this asana is mandatory for you. Place one foot forward and the other back and rest the knee on the ground. It deeply stretches the muscles of the front of the hips (Hip Flexors).

3. Butterfly Pose (Baddha Konasana)

Sit with the soles of your feet together and slowly move your knees like butterfly wings. It relieves tension in the inner thighs and brings flexibility in the pelvic area.

4. Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)

Lying on the back, raise the legs and pull the knees towards the side by holding them with hands. This asana allows the hip joints to open safely without any pressure.

5. Malasana (Garland Pose/Yogi Squat)

Sitting in a deep squat position relaxes the hips, ankles and lower back simultaneously. It restores our body’s natural posture and increases mobility.

6. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle)

Finally, gently lie down on your back while remaining in butterfly pose. Here gravity does its work and without any effort your hips slowly start opening.

Some important tips for practice

Focus on breathing: Never hold your breath during a stretch. By taking deep and long breaths the muscles relax more quickly.

Continuity: You can do these asanas during office breaks or even before sleeping at night.

Do not force: Yoga means ‘spontaneity’. Respect your physical limits and go deeper slowly.