| When we consider Yoga solutions for our hips, we | | | | and making discoveries happen in their own time. |
| often think in terms of physical tightness, which occurs | | | | In the case of chronic pain, if it suddenly stops, you |
| over time. Our hips are largely ignored until we feel | | | | know you are on the right track. If it gets worse, you |
| pain in them from excessive sitting, trauma, arthritis, or | | | | know you must change something in your lifestyle, talk |
| gradual joint wear. Yet, the hips are also a storage | | | | to your doctor, or talk to your Yoga teacher. |
| area for stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil. | | | | The following list of Yoga postures are my personal |
| Many different Yoga postures work toward releasing | | | | favorites for relief from chronic pain in the hips. They |
| tension from within the hips. Due to differences in our | | | | can also be practiced to rid the body of tension, stress, |
| body types, alignment, and joint wear, over time, the | | | | and negative energy. If you had a hip replacement, you |
| best postures for one person may not suit another. | | | | should seek the guidance of a competent Yoga |
| The posture's level of difficulty is also a consideration. | | | | teacher before practicing alone. |
| With that said, almost every posture can be modified if | | | | One-Legged King Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada |
| a Yoga teacher has the compassion, motivation, and | | | | Rajakapotasana): This is a classic hip opener. It is great |
| innovation to do so. For students of Yoga, selecting a | | | | for relief from excessive sitting. You should gently |
| teacher is a complex choice - especially if a student | | | | work this asana and be cautious if you have a |
| has a pre-existing health condition. | | | | pre-existing Sacroiliac injury. |
| Once the practice of Yoga is taken home, we begin to | | | | Happy Baby Pose (Ananda Balasana): Another great |
| discover a multitude of techniques, which give us relief | | | | hip opener, which mildly stretches the inner groin. |
| from chronic pain. It is at the stage of self-discovery, | | | | Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana): Is also called |
| when a student first realizes presence in practice. | | | | "Cobbler" and "Butterfly," but whatever you call it, |
| This may happen with the guidance of a Yoga | | | | Baddha Konasana is a wonderful hip opener with |
| teacher, but it can also happen during your personal | | | | many additional benefits. |
| practice at home; becoming present in your practice | | | | Also worthy of mention are the following postures. |