Strong Butts = Happy Hip Flexors

Every now and then it seems like there is a trend of sorts. Not the fun kind that create an excuse to buy some new shoes, but one where several unrelated people have similar physical issues.  It's like when I used to bartend and everyone was ordering the same unusual drink on a Saturday night. There was no discernible reason, no commonality between the groups, no obvious connection across the bar, but every now and then it was Long Island Iced Teas for everyone! (And things often got messy on those nights!)

But I digress...

Lately I've been hearing a lot about hip flexors, psoas, and inner thigh pain.  Whether it comes and goes, is sharp or dull, often the culprit isn't the front body, but the back. Weak bums can make for tense hip flexors.  This naturally occurs with our sitting lifestyle, stress, and aging.  

So what can you do about it? 

Here are my 3 favorite antidotes to tired glutes:

1) On all fours, rear leg lifts.

2) Deep chair pose with block between the thighs.

3) Bridge pose, squeezing up and down.

Here are your yoga therapy stick figures:

These are pretty self-explanatory, and not too hard to work into your day.  Just be sure that you feel your glutes engage and feel the burn! If in chair pose they're not coming online, put more weight into your heels and sit back and low.  You can do the bridge before you even get out of bed in the morning! 

And hey--tight hip flexors aren't the only things trending. So are big strong booties, so go get 'em, tiger! You don't have to go it alone, either. We'll work our backsides in every class, whether it's online or in person every Monday morning.  

And if you think that bootie talk is only something done between friends, you're right!  Because you read this blog, you are a friend in the Jess G Yoga community. That means you can use the coupon code FRIEND and receive $30 off Return to Your Light: A Women's Yoga Retreat, happening December 2.  Space is filling up and time is running out, so bum-rush your behind over to the registration page and sign up!  And hey--bring a friend while you're at it. Same coupon code applies! 

May you give yourself the gift of toned glutes, fun trends, and a Long Island Iced Tea.  

(Actually--I don't recommend that last one...)

Much love,

Jess