|
|
Day 17: Beginner
Hip Openers with Rebecca Urban
If you run, bike, swim, ski, or swing at balls to stay in shape, hats off to you! Sports such as these have numerous benefits. They can, however, lead to tightness or imbalances in your hip muscles, which in turn can lead to pain in your lower back, knees, and even shoulders. That's where hip openers such as Pigeon Pose and Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose) come in. In addition to easing pain and lowering your risk of injury, asanas that increase range of motion in your hips can actually improve your game.
This sequence by Rebecca Urban includes a heaping helping of hamstring stretches, including Ardha Hanumanasana (Half Monkey God Pose). Tight hamstrings restrict range of motion in the hips, causing a telltale rounding of the back in forward bends. Poses that target these muscles are often among athletes' least favorites. Soften your face and gaze, relax the shoulders away from your ears, and focus on your breath. "Find happiness in your hamstrings," Urban says. "Find joy there. It's there. Just breathe into it."
Watch Today's Video »
Challenge Tip
One of the great perks of practicing at home is that you can spend as much time as you like in a posture. So don't hesitate to press the pause button and linger in a hip opener. As the seconds tick by, you'll likely notice new sensations, discover ways to create more space in your body, and surrender more deeply into the pose.
Today's Recipe: Nutty Sweet Potato
Soup with Harissa and Spinach
This warming and delicious soup is perfect for a cold winter day.
Get Today's Recipe »
|
UNSUBSCRIBE | PRIVACY POLICY | MORE NEWSLETTERS
© 2012 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., An Active Interest Media Company
475 Sansome Street, Suite 850, San Francisco, CA 94111
Please add yogajournal@email.yogajournal.com to your Email Address
Book or Safe List to ensure the delivery of this newsletter to your inbox.
|
|
|
|
