Release those hounds: Hip stretches to live by

Hips are awesome, they allow us to be bipedal and erect, two of my favorite things.
But what to do when they are tight and causing you Knee Pain, Low Back Pain, or just Pain in the Ass Pain? Stretch!

When I say stretch I mean:

• Spend a minute in each position. As in 60 seconds.
• Stop if you feel pain, back off and try again, gentler and slower.
• Breathe deeply through your abdomen while in your stretch positions. If you are holding your breath you are depriving your muscles of oxygen, and that's like trying to start a fire in the rain. Beh.
• Do these stretches, in the order listed below, and repeat 3 times for maximum awesome.

1) Figure Four Stretch

2) Standing Quad Stretch

3) Kneeling Quad/Hip Flexor Stretch

4) Hamstring Stretch #1: One Leg Seated

 5) Hamstring Stretch #2: Seated (with leverage front and side view)

   

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 6) Hamstring Standing (Uttanasana)

Happy stretching to all my runners, cyclists, yogis, and desk jockeys alike! Oh, and if these stretches aren't enough to make you feel great, I know where you can get an awesome massage: email domenika@nichemassage.com or visit http://nichemassage.com for an appointment!