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By Matte Roffe - ReDefined MindBody Studio Coordinator
Let's face it, the average person living in a Western country rarely flexes their knees past 90 degrees or squats at all.
Think about it. You wake up, roll out of bed, and sit down on a knee-high toilet. You make breakfast and sit on a chair or a stool that is at bum height (or higher). You get into a car (again in a seat), arrive at work, and promptly sit down in an office chair. The muscles and tissues that affect flexion and extension, adduction and abduction, and internal and external rotation are barely used at all!
Interestingly, this is not true for children…
Most kids sit on the floor, squat to play with toys and move through a full range of hip motion throughout the day. By age 10, most kids start moving more like adults (meaning less movement) they begin to lose flexibility. Without training, by our teenage years, most of us are just as stiff as an adult. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can change this. It doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent practice, you can make massive gains in flexibility.
It's clear that open hips are essential for a successful yoga practice, let's be real, who doesn't want to feel like a graceful swan gliding through their vinyasa flow? But the dangers of tight hips go far beyond your yoga practice.
Tight hips might seem like a minor inconvenience at first, You can't sit comfortably on the floor, certain yoga poses are out of reach, and you feel restless during long car rides or flights. But the reality is much more serious. When your hips are tight, you start to compensate with unnatural movements that can lead to chronic pain and injuries.
Your squat becomes awkward, your back hunches up when you sit cross-legged, and your running turns into a clumsy waddle.
All of these compensations can cause significant problems such as chronic back and knee pain. Open and healthy hips are not only essential for a successful yoga practice but also essential for a healthy life.
So Unlocking the Secret to a Stronger Body and a Happier Mind: by finding the Power of Healthy, Open Hips.
Dedicate the next 10 weeks to hip-opening exercises. You'll notice a positive shift in your mood and overall well-being, and say goodbye to those creaky, tight hips. Trust me, your hips will thank you for it.
Kind Thoughts
Kind Words
Kind Heart
Namaste, my friends!
Matte xx
