Stretching should be restorative, not painful, so if pigeon pose is feeling a little torturous, here are some other hip-openers to try instead. Unpopular opinion: I don’t like pigeon pose.

Firefly poseThis pose helps to strengthen your core ... as much as possible while doing the asana. One-legged King Pigeon poseThis full body exercise, also known as Eka Pada Rajakapotasana ...