Hip Opening & Seated Poses
We hold a lot of our daily stress in our hips, especially after long hours at a desk. These seated poses and hip-opening sequences are about more than just flexibility; they are about gently releasing that tension, one breath at a time.
Inhaling love, exhaling purrs. A deep hip-opening stretch accompanied by my cat, reminding me to stay present and find joy in the small moments.
A super effective and accessible hip-opening sequence. This flow is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to gently loosen tight hips.
Screenshot this vinyasa for a great hip stretch. It moves through variations of Pigeon Pose and Cow Face Pose to deeply open the hip joints.
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, or Revolved Side Angle Pose. This advanced twist strengthens the legs while deeply stretching the hips and massaging the abdominal organs.
The pose you avoid is often the one you need the most. This deep seated stretch works the hamstrings and hips, encouraging you to sit with discomfort.
A playful take on a deep side leg split, this pose requires significant hamstring and hip flexibility.
A quiet moment in Gomukhasana, or Cow Face Pose. This asana provides a deep stretch for the hips, shoulders, and arms simultaneously.
A black and white clip showing a seated flow with deep stretches and twists. This is a great example of how movement can be a form of meditation.
Exploring the beauty of Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, or One-Legged King Pigeon Pose. This sequence gracefully moves into the full expression of this deep hip and heart opener.
A reminder that yoga is a "work in." This challenging seated pose requires patience and breath to find openness in the body.
About Hip Opening & Seated Poses
In these sessions, we don't force deep stretches. I focus on modifying poses like Pigeon or Cow Face to suit your current range of motion, using household props like cushions to make them accessible, even if you feel like you've never been flexible.
Many people come to me thinking hip opening is just about achieving the splits or 'opening up' the joints. While that physical release happens, I look at it differently. Our hips are where we store a lot of emotional and physical stagnation. If you sit at a desk for eight hours, those muscles shorten and tighten, which often leads to that nagging lower back pain or a general feeling of being 'stuck.'
My approach here is to slow down. We use Hatha and Vinyasa-inspired flows to target the hip flexors, glutes, and pelvic floor. You will see me using modifications extensively. If you can't reach the floor, we use blocks or books. If a pose feels overwhelming, we focus on the breath until your body naturally gives way.
We work on:
- Stiffness Relief: Targeted sequences for the lower back and hamstrings.
- Emotional Release: Poses like Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose) or Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (Pigeon Pose) are great for sitting with discomfort and learning to breathe through it.
- Accessibility: Whether you are a beginner or someone with chronic tightness, the flow is adapted to meet your current level, not where you think you should be.
This is a space to stop 'performing' the yoga pose and start feeling it. No judgment, just consistent, gentle movement that helps you loosen up and reset.
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Flexibility & Opening: Backbends & Hips
