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Deep Hip Opening Flow

Beginner II
(168 Reviews)
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This wonderfully thorough hatha yoga flow digs deep into the tension in the hips, legs and back, moving you through a gradual build-up to more challenging poses as the class progresses. Melissa maintains a calm energy, gentle pacing and difficulty level that is accessible to most students, although this would be considered as a more challenging beginner class.

Equipment

  • Block

Focus

  • Hips
  • Flexibility
  • Legs and Feet
  • Lower Back

Style

  • Gentle Yoga
  • Hatha Yoga
  • Yoga for Back Care
PianoWire
August 19, 2020
Comment:

Thank you for providing adaptations for those of us who aren't flexible! Would you please suggest one more? From low lunge, I can't straighten my front leg while keeping my hands on the floor near the front foot. Three alternatives come to mind:
1) Walk hands along the mat to the hips as I straighten the front leg (torso upright)
2) Leave the front leg bent (just slightly straighter than lunge) with hands on the floor near the front foot
3) As I straighten the front leg, position two blocks on end (for my hands) behind the front knee

Your advice?

Comment Replies

Melissa Krieger
August 20, 2020
Comment:

Hi! Those are all great alternatives! I would always say keep the knee/knees bent whenever you need to in any yoga posture (low lunge, forward folds, downward dog) to let the hamstrings release a bit more so you have more space. And blocks are so great! Use them however it's helpful. A combo of 2 and 3 would work really well. 1 might be a tricky if you hands are on the hips as opposed to the mat (or blocks) as its tough to balance and takes away from the stretch. Does that make sense? Let me know if you have more questions!

Comment Replies

PianoWire
August 21, 2020
Comment:

Thanks Melissa! I've most often used option 1, in which I walk my hands back along the mat as far as I need to straighten the front leg. In this position, I'm sitting on the back heel with front leg straight and hands on the mat. It certainly provides a strong stretch, but it may not be stretching what's intended.

Comment Replies

aleksandra a.
June 17, 2020
Comment:

Thank you Melissa, I really enjoyed the pace and the sequence. I felt calm as I was able to really focus on my breath and notice what my body is doing. You do just the right amount of talking. Great class.

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