Piriformis Stretch

This pose is wonderful for stretching the muscles of the hips, thighs and buttocks.
Start this posture seated on your sit bones with your legs straight out in front of you.

• bend the right knee and place the foot on the floor
• take the right outside ankle to the left thigh just above, not on, the left knee
• reach behind you and place your hands on the floor
• sitting tall, slowly begin to bend the left leg until you feel a good stretch in the right leg and hip
• press the right knee away from the body to help make a straight line between the knee and foot
• only bend the left leg to a comfortable extent, never over stretch or over strain
• try to maintain a tall spine with the chest lifted
• hold for between five and ten breaths before slowly straightening the left leg and moving the right leg back to the floor so both legs are straight
• repeat the above with the left leg

photo courtesy of Yoga Journal