Did you stretch your hips today? Tight muscles around the pelvis and upper legs are very common and can lead to a number of issues such as back pain, injury, and the build up of emotional tension. Cat Gieser, Yogi and founder of Yoga Mama Flow kindly shared 5 of her favorite yoga poses for lengthening the muscles around your hips. Hold each pose for 30 seconds to 3 minutes and breathe deeply. Get your babes involved, like Cat does, to make it a mama and me stretch session.

Butterfly Pose

This pose can help you stretch hard to reach inner thigh muscles. How to do the pose: Start sitting on the ground. Place the soles of your feet together and let your knees drop outward. Hold your feet and lean forward with a straight spine. Once you cannot go any further, release your neck, and head to relax into the pose.

Upward Facing Dog

This pose can help stretch your hip flexors and the muscles they connect to through your upper legs and mid-section. How to do the pose: start lying on your stomach with your hands next to your chest. Your toes will be lying flat. Slowly press up until your hips are lifted off of the floor.

Downward Facing Dog

This pose stretches your lower back and hamstrings, helping to relieve tension throughout your entire pelvic region! How to do the pose: start on all fours and slowly lift your hips to the sky. Try to flatten your lower back, engage your arms and reach your heels towards the floor.

Wide Leg Forward Fold

This is a lovely pose for stretching the inner hips and thighs. How to do the pose: Start sitting on the ground and open your legs into a straddle as far as you can. Slowly walk your hands forward keeping your spine straight until you can go no further. Then relax your neck and hold the pose.

Malasana

This pose provides a deep stretch for your upper inner thighs. How to do the pose: Squat down as low as you can. Place your hands in prayer position and use your elbows to press against your knees to provide a deeper stretch.