Put a spring in your step: Strengthen your hips and legs
Would you like to feel a spring in your step? When our hips feel stiff, stretching them seems like a good idea. However, strengthening your legs and hips might be more effective in relieving stiffness because contracting your muscles increases circulation into the area, improves muscle tone, develops stability at the joint level, and makes you feel stronger and more capable. Making your legs and hips work a bit before stretching them puts a spring in your step and helps carry you through your day with more grace and ease.
In this short practice, we focus on the flexion/ extension movement and work on strengthening your hips and legs, specifically your hip flexors, glutes, and quads, before stretching them. These movements are particularly helpful when you sit a lot during the day. We will also emphasize the grounding action to feel more strong, balanced, and stable both in the body and mind.
Please check it and let me know how it feels!
Olga this is wonderful and the long holds quite challenging here! At 72 , with osteoporosis, I am modifying as needed. But I need this strength. I am a Viniyoga teacher in Alabama and I will incorporate some of this practice in my classes. Thank you🙏🏻
Thank you, Carol! Yes, holds are so good for building strength! I have to remind myself of that since a tendency for me is to lean into repetition 🙂 I am happy to hear that you are adapting this for yourself and your students.