YOGA POSES FOR TIGHT HIPS
Oh, baby, it is definitely not cold right now in Charleston! It actually has felt like summer all week and I am not complaining. I mean, when I can take yoga pictures by the pool, without freezing my booty off, life is GOOD!
The rest of the country though, winter is in full effect. I think it was zero degrees in Wisconsin last night? GAH! Cold, damp, and bitter temperatures can wreak havoc on our bodies. And what happens to our bodies when the weather drops? We tense up...Our muscles tighten...Our shoulders creep closer to our ears...The motivation to move our bodies is a little bit harder. It is ALL THE THINGS!
Whether you are a runner, cyclist, walker, hiker, or yogi, you need to spend the time to stretch, especially during the cooler months. Just taking 15 minutes of your time to do a few stretches can prevent injury, speed up recovery, improve your training, posture, digestion, and overall just make you feel better. These are just a few of the reasons why I personally practice so much yoga on a weekly basis. And I know that I repeat myself, but yoga has brought so many physical benefits as well as mental benefits into my life and I highly recommend that you try it this winter season.
Below are 4 of my favorite HIP yoga poses that I find extremely beneficial to open the hips, alleviate back pain, release toxicity, and find space to breathe, open my heart, and find stillness not only in the pose, but in myself. Again...ALL THE THINGS!
There are lots of variations and modifications for all levels, so if you need something different or have any questions, please feel free to ask. I am ALWAYS here to help you.
Some tips to remember:
Hold each pose for up to 1-minute;
Try to do each pose 2 - 3 times;
Listen to your body...Remember to breathe...And take your time with getting into the pose and holding the pose...Do not get frustrated...Enjoy and embrace the pose!
Use props if you are unable to touch the ground in certain poses. Yoga blocks can be your best friend!
Low Lunge: Hips tight? Hamstrings tight? This one's for YOU! It covers all the goods and will leave you feeling fabulous after your workout or even after sitting too long at your desk or a binge session of Bravo. It is a basic pose for everyone of all levels, but all levels will experience the physical benefits. Here are three different variations to try!
Wide Leg Forward Fold: A great pose for not only your hips, but also your hamstrings...Runners this is a must. Just like every other pose I am sharing with you, there are lots of variations for each level or whatever one you would like to embrace. My personal favorite is grabbing my toes and leaning into it. Breathe deeply...lean baby lean...and be still.
Lizard Pose: This is a juicy stretch for your hips (yes I just used that word, but it really is). It is also one of those poses that it is important to use the block to ensure you do not compromise your form. If this is too intense, you can always lower your back knee. If you want to intensify the stretch, remove the block and go onto your forearms.
Below are three photos that show different variations as to how to do this pose. My personal favorite is being able to open my hip and stretch my quadriceps at the same time. It feels SO GOOD to open and to breathe. It is intense and it targets all of those tough spots that tighten up from training, life, and the cold weather.
Double Pigeon Pose: One of my absolute favorite poses to stretch my hips and to allow myself to just melt into the stretch, breathe, and let all that shit go. It is just as challenging physically as mentally. You have to give yourself the time to go deeper into the pose...feel the stretch...let your body give in and just be still. YES...be still...which is so hard for us these days...am I right?
There are several options for pigeon pose, but I am only sharing the one that I love the most in this post. It is a pose that can really show just how tight those hips are.
I am also sharing some quick videos on Instagram showing how to get into some of these poses, so make sure that you are following me.
Let’s talk…
Do you spend time to stretch?
What are some of your favorite hip stretches?
