Simple Stretch that Really Stretches the Back

I have taken up really trying to work up at least a small sweat before I start my yoga in the morning, and I have even started doing the yoga again after my run in the afternoon. I have found that when my muscles are really warm I get a much better stretch and my muscles get a lot more out of the stretches. I have been feeling really fantastic lately because of it.

So, on to the simple stretch: It's called "Head to Knee Posture" in my power yoga book, but it's really just the simple stretch that you do after running or walking to stretch the back of your leg. You bring in one leg (bend the knee and bring your foot into your crotch) and you bend over the other, outstretched leg. I always used to do this after I exercised, but I haven't for the last two years or so because I never had the time (since my son was born). Now that he is getting more self-sufficient I am doing it again. I used to thing that stretch was only for your leg, but man, now that my back is all tweaked it stretches my back much more than my legs. It is very effective in getting rid of mid to lower back pain and tightness.