Rocket Man Pole Vault 

Pose 1: Runner’s Lunge

Strengthens:  Legs and Upper Back

Benefits:  The groin or adductor muscles provide strength and stability for the femur (thigh bone) and hip joint. Keeping this group of muscles flexible will decrease the likelihood for a groin strain or imminent ITBS. Strengthening your quadriceps & hamstrings will allow for more power per “push off” of every step

1. Start in a lunge position with your right foot back first.

2. Press back through the right heel to straighten the back leg. Lift through the knee to engage the thigh.

3. Make sure the left knee is over the ankle.

4. Bring the hands to the sides of the front foot, under the shoulders.

5. Draw in the navel and tuck the tailbone.

6. Raise the heart toward the sky without taking the hands off the ground.

7. Hold for 30 seconds.

Pose 2: The Crescent Moon

Strengthens:  Glutes, hamstrings and core

1. From Low Lunge, drop the back knee  and the top of the back foot to the floor.

2. Keep the front leg in place, with the knee over the ankle.

3. Drop into the hips to stretch both the front hip and the back quad.

4. Raise the upper body in line above the pelvis, head lifting toward the ceiling.

5. Bring the arms up by the ears, elbows straight, hands reaching toward the sky. Keep dropping the shoulders away from ears, even as you lift the arms.

6. Engage the navel and tuck the tailbone slightly under to keep the abdomen strong.

7. Drop opposite arm to the side and reach down to the ground while reaching up and slightly over with the other arm

Pose 5 Lateral Hip Stretch

1. From Hamstring Tower, walk the hands over to the same side of the body as the extended leg.

2. Keep the hips over the back knee and keep the front leg extended.

3. The further back and away from the body you place the hands, the more you’ll feel the stretch in the lateral hip and thigh.

4. Make sure to keep the head dropped and the neck relaxed.

5. Hold for 30 seconds

Pose 7  Pigeon (or alternative*, below)

Benefits:  hip flexor, IT band 

1. Step your right leg forward between your hands.

2. Drop your back leg to the ground. Keep the back leg turned under.

3. Keeping your front leg bent, place it shin down on floor behind your right wrist.

Tip: Align your right knee straight in front of your right hip and your right shin parallel to the front of your mat.

4. Lower your hips, bringing your left knee and top of your left thigh to the floor and walk your left foot back a few inches to straighten your left leg directly behind your left hip. Then rest the top of your left foot on the floor.

5. Walk your fingertips out to 18 inches in front of your right shin and bring your elbows to the floor, forearms parallel to each other.

6. Draw your right hip back, and your left hip forward

7. Make sure your front foot is well flexed.

8. Hold for 30-60 seconds; and then repeat poses 1-7 using the other leg

1. Lie on your back on the mat.

2. Bring your knees in towards the chest, at a 90-degree angle.

3. Place your right ankle on your left thigh, interlace your fingers and place them behind your left thigh, and pull your left thigh toward your chest.

4. Repeat on the other side.

TIP: Flex your feet to deepen the stretch. Press your elbow against that bent knee to feel an inner thigh stretch. If you have knee problems, adjust the angle of the knee so you feel comfortable.

Sumo Squat

Standing wide-legged forward fold

Benefits: Opens the hips and stretches the hamstrings

2. Turn your heels slightly out and your toes slightly in. (Imagine you're slightly pigeon-toed.)

3. Inhale, stand tall and stretch your arms out to a T.

4. Exhale, fold forward, taking your hands to the floor or a yoga block. Allow your head to hang down, straightening your spine.  Do not lock knees

5. After five breaths, inhale as you roll up slowly, engaging your abs and pressing in to your feet to help you rise.

6. Exhale, step your feet together.

Standing forward fold with "ragdoll" arms

1. Inhale and take your hands to your hips as you

step your feet hips' width apart.

2. Exhale, fold forward. If you can straighten your legs in this pose, grasp each elbow with the opposite hand. If you can't straighten your legs or need more support, place your hands on a yoga block (or even a chair, if you prefer).

3. Allow your head to hang down limply--like a ragdoll, straightening your spine. Gaze past the end of your nose.

For tight lats

1. Kneel in front of a chair.

2. Bend your elbows 90 degrees, place the backs of your elbows, near their tips, on the front edge of the chair seat, about shoulder-width apart.

3. Walk your knees away from the chair until your trunk is parallel to the floor and your knees are directly under your hip joints.

4. Draw your front lower rib cage upward so it does not sag toward the floor, and keep it there throughout the pose.

5. Move your hips horizontally backward to lengthen your spine, slide your shoulders outward toward your ears, and draw your head back and away from the edge of the chair seat. Allow your head to hang down.

6. Press your tailbone slightly toward the floor to stabilize your sacrum, pelvis, and lower back; keep your ribs slightly lifted; and move your outer arms (triceps) toward the floor as far as you comfortably can.

7. Allow the latissimus muscles to fully release, lengthen, and permit deeper movement.

Child’s pose 

1. Start to lower to the floor.

2. Your belly will rest on or between your thighs, and your forehead will reach towards the mat. (Place a towel under your forehead if it won't reach the floor.

3. Stretch the arms out in front of you to feel a stretch up the length of the back.

4. Stretch the arms alongside the body, with the fingertips facing the toes, to stretch between the shoulder blades.