How to Approach Stiffness in Hips
Stiff/ 'tight' hips, are connected to lower back pain, wearing out of the hip socket, arthritis of the knee, menstrual discomfort etc. and therefore do not realise the importance of flexibility in hips. Once stiffness has set in, re-gaining flexibility might feel like an impossible feat. But it can be done through consistent effort. This set of sessions explores the path for various levels of practice. In this session, we work with a few standing and seated positions.
This session is part of the Short Course: Hip Health: Removing Stiffness. Save by buying the entire Course.
Level: Beginner, Experienced Beginner
Duration: 60mins.
Props needed: one sturdy chair, one yoga strap, a stack of blankets, access to a wall
Tag words: ardha chandrasana baddhakonasana hip health hips lower back health menstrual health prostrate health swastikasana utthita hasta padangusthasana I utthita hasta padangusthasana II walking
Many people dont realise that they have stiff hips till they come to a yoga class. Many people do not see the connection between ‘tight hips’, and lower back pain, wearing out of the hip socket, arthritis of the knee, menstrual discomfort etc., and therefore do not realise the importance of flexibility in hips. this is not surprising. The narrow range of activities that we habitually do with our modern lifestyles, both causes, and hides, stiffness of the hips (always sitting on chairs, never on the floor). Popular forms of exercise like walking, contribute to further stiffening of the hips. Stiff hips will, sooner or later, manifest in skeleto-muscular problems like lower back pain. But perhaps more importantly, the hip-pelvis area is the container for our urino-genital organs. Stiffness and imbalances in this container can contribute to menstrual discomfort in women, and urinary/ prostrate problems in men. This area is also the seat of nerve plexi described as ‘chakras’ that control our emotional health and wellbeing.
Once stiffness has set in, re-gaining flexibility might feel like an impossible feat. But it can be done through consistent effort. This set of sessions explores the path for various levels of practice.
Note;
While these sessions are recommended for maintaining hip. mobility, those who have undergone hip replacement procedures should check with their doctors before attempting this positions and actions