Deep Flexibility: Heart & Hip Openers
Flexibility is about creating space in the body to move with freedom. In these sessions, we focus on deep stretches for the hips, back, and shoulders to release stored tension and restore your natural range of motion.
Exploring the beautiful shape of Garudasana Bridge. This pose is a deep backbend and shoulder opener that also challenges your balance, creating a feeling of expansion through the entire front body.
A simple wall-assisted lunge is a fantastic way to get a deep stretch in the quadriceps and hip flexors. This pose is perfect for releasing tension from sitting and improving overall lower body mobility.
Finding stillness in Prasarita Padottanasana, or Wide-Legged Forward Fold. This pose stretches the hamstrings and inner thighs while calming the mind. It’s a wonderful way to turn inward and let go.
This is a variation of Hero Pose, or Virasana, called 'A Laid Back Hero'. It provides a deep stretch for the quadriceps and opens the heart, creating a beautiful arch in the spine.
This is a Diamond Dolphin Hydrant pose, a creative variation that deeply opens the hips while building shoulder strength. It's a perfect example of how we can combine strength and flexibility in a single asana.
Flowing at the speed of breath. This slow, mindful movement sequence focuses on hamstring flexibility and core control, allowing for a deep, meditative stretch that connects body and mind.
The struggle is part of the journey. Here I am working on Ek Pada Nirakunjasana, a challenging pose that requires deep flexibility in the hips and shoulders. Every attempt teaches me something new about my body.
About this collection
I don't believe in forcing your body into a pose. In these sessions, we use props like yoga wheels, blocks, and the wall to safely access deep stretches, whether we are working on hip openers or heart-opening backbends. It is about listening to your body, breathing into the tightness, and trusting the process—that is what I call abhyaas.
Flexibility is often misunderstood as simply being 'bendy'. For me, it is about creating space in the body where we tend to store stress, particularly the hips and shoulders. Most of us spend our days hunched over desks or navigating Bengaluru traffic, leading to tight hip flexors and rounded posture.
My approach to flexibility is rooted in both function and feeling. We don't just stretch; we flow. Using props like straps and wheels allows us to extend our reach and support the spine, making deep postures like Pigeon (Rajkapotasana) or Bridge pose accessible even if you are just starting out.
Why focus on this?
- For Runners & Athletes: Active recovery is essential. We work on foam rolling and targeted flows to release fascia tightness.
- For Office Workers: We specifically target the lower body to undo the effects of sitting, focusing on deep hip openers that ease lower back tension.
- For Everyone: We explore heart openers to counteract 'tech neck' and hunched shoulders, helping you stand taller and breathe deeper.
Yoga is a conversation with your body, not a lecture. Whether you are working on your first splits or trying to deepen your backbend, we move at the speed of your breath. My goal is to help you build a practice that feels good, releases tension, and leaves you feeling steady.
Richa Kumar
Hey, I’m Richa. I’ve found that my own flexibility journey has been less about the perfect pose and more about finding *sukoon*—that inner peace—on the mat. When I’m not teaching, you’ll find me on a run or hanging out with my two Shih Tzus, who honestly think they’re the real yoga experts.
Looking for something else?
Explore other ways we can move and flow together.
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