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Restorative Yoga for the Hips

Beginner I
(112 Reviews)
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Satiya's calm guidance, great pose choices and relaxing presence makes this class a perfect choice for anyone wanting to release deeply held tension in their hips. The hips can be tight for so many reasons, often emotional, and Satiya provides the encouragement and space to let go. If you don't have a bolster, learn how to make a bolster at home.

Equipment

  • Bolster
  • Blankets

Focus

  • Hips
  • Stress/Anxiety
  • Spine
  • Flexibility
  • Sleep/Relaxation
  • Lower Back

Style

  • Gentle Yoga
  • Hatha Yoga
  • Restorative Yoga
  • Yoga for Back Care
jonathonlee
March 17, 2021
Comment:

Thank you, Satiya. This is exactly what I needed to release the twinge in my lower back. The balance between yin forward-folding and the resting back fold at the end did the trick. I found it helpful during the second forward-fold position (with legs stretched out) to modify it for myself by doing a kind of seated happy baby. I was able to support myself folding forward that way. (I have great difficulty folding forward from my hips). Thank you again! I'll come back to this one regularly.

Bev2009
February 9, 2021
Comment:

I struggled with the opening poses--even with bolster and blankets and some pillows I could barely achieve the postures. My hips were indeed screaming. Is it a good idea just to keep trying, or to do other stretching classes first?

Comment Replies

David Procyshyn
February 12, 2021
Comment:

Hi there. I'm not sure without seeing you in the pose, but I would say if you are unable to modify the pose so your hips aren't screaming, you could do the other poses or find similar, more gentle versions that stretch the same area of your body.

Comment Replies

Bev2009
February 15, 2021
Comment:

Thanks for replying. So--though my hips did protest mightily in the opening poses, my low back and hips were pain-free for the first time in weeks! I repeated the class a few days later and found I was able to adapt the poses slightly for less intensity. The main thing I'm doing is adding several pillows and a folded blanket to the bolster so I'm well supported as I lean forward. What's curious is that I've been practising yoga for 20-45 minutes a day for the last 3 or 4 months, including many of the hip stretching/opening classes you offer, and I'm still so very tight in the hips and low back. Any suggestions? (I also see a massage therapist and a chiropractor, and walk 4-6 km/day.)

Comment Replies

David Procyshyn
March 2, 2021
Comment:

That's great to hear! Adapting classes to suit your body is an important part of the process. Regarding the tightness, I've asked that question to myself and others for many years. For me, it's my hip flexors. They are hopelessly stiff, no matter how much I stretch them! What I've learned over the years is that the nervous system is responsible, not the muscle. And the nervous system is guided by our thoughts. I dedicate a lot more time to calming my nervous system, relaxing my muscles, then stretching them. I also do my best to keep my nervous system calm throughout the day, although this is quite challenging, especially sitting at a computer (as I am now!). The key for me is to turn down the habitual pattern that is leading to the nervous system wanting to turn those muscles on so often. It may take a long time to understand my deeper role in it, but it's so worth it.

Comment Replies

HannahA
November 11, 2021
Comment:

David...this is so helpful. Truly a deeper understanding of our bodies. Much appreciated.

DaleJRhodes
December 20, 2023
Comment:

David reading this comment has been so helpful to me. It may shift my practice this calendar year. Thank you for sharing that.

Helen Connolly
January 12, 2021
Comment:

Really wasn't sure if this was for me at first because I have very tight hips & hamstrings, so it was difficult but wow it feels amazing afterwards!

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