I teach stretching routines for a living — 3 exercises that strengthen your hips and open your hamstrings

Woman performing quad and hip flexor stretch with left leg.

A quick stretching routine could help ease tension in your hamstrings and hips to counteract the negative impact of sitting down all day — and you only need one of the best yoga mats to do it. 

I teach 30-minute stretching routines every week and have developed a bank of go-to exercises for strengthening your hamstrings and hips. Performing these three lower body exercises at least several times a week could help release lower body tension and improve posture and overall flexibility.