For many years this stretch was called the “hurdler’s stretch” because one leg was bent at the knee with the foot positioned behind, away from the body. It was found to put too much strain on the knee and deemed “contraindicated.” The modern version is still called the hurdler stretch, but the difference is the knee is bent forward, not backward, relieving knee strain.
Modern Hurdler Stretch
• Have a seat on the floor with your right leg straight and your left leg bent. Position your left foot against your right thigh.
• Exhale as you extend your arms forward over your right leg. Bend at the hips with a straight back.
• Feel the lengthening of the hamstrings of your right leg.
• Hold the position for 15-30 seconds. Relax.
• Repeat on the left leg.
• Repeat the sequence 2-3 times.
