This practice is what you need if you’ve been struggling with tight, uncomfortable hips. In addition to some familiar Yin poses we will also be practicing bits and pieces from a Feldenkrais Method® lesson that I’ve borrowed.
Sciatic nerve issues are a special kind of hell. That stingy, nervy, intense pain down into the thigh, back of knee, heel or even foot happens on a spectrum. Some of us get occasional jolts, others full on numbness of the foot. It’s always best to get checked out by your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. But if you are in a management and healing phase, this practice can restore the sliding and gliding to your sciatic nerve both in the gluteal muscles and at the various nerve roots. This kind of suppleness is a big part of healing.
Working with this breath technique in childs pose adds another layer of difficulty. So it’s a nice practice to progress to for continued improvement of hip, groin, low back and SIJ issues.
When hip, groin and low back problems happen, this techinique is one of my go to’s. Our pelvic floor is a dynamic and sensitive region that is highly connected to our mental state. Learning to tune in to the sensations and actions of the pelvic floor is often the first step in reducing sensitivity in the tissues arising from this region.
This is a go to practice when you really NEED to get on your mat for some Yin, but can’t commit mentally or time wise to a full guided practice. I’ve provided an image and a brief description of each pose for you. You will make good use of your pause button so this practice is best taken from your phone or tablet.
We hear all the time in Yoga about Hip Opening. It makes sense, if you want to increase hip range of motion you should stretch your hips… right? If I’ve learned anything over the last several years of dedicating my teaching to evidence based practice, it’s that the things that seem the most “truish” should be the first to endure scrutiny.