A yoga teacher says you should do this beginner-friendly pose every day to improve your hip mobility and flexibility

A man performs pigeon pose in a living room on a yoga mat in a vest and sweats. He is on the floor, with his right leg bent underneath his torso and his left leg extended behind. He leans forward on his elbows and smiles. Behind him we see a plant and a couch.

Our hips are the largest weight-bearing joints in our bodies and play a central role in everyday movements. Healthy hips allow for a wide range of motion so you can walk, run, kick, jump and bend over easily. Having limited mobility in this area can affect everything from your lower back to your pelvic health and leg function.

I've worked as a physical therapy aide and I'm now a yoga teacher, so I'm familiar with lots of methods for improving hip mobility. I've helped patients and students stretch and strengthen their hips and seen the positive impact it can have on movement patterns. One of my favorite stretches to practice and to teach is pigeon, a classic yoga pose.