Beyond Stretching: Hanna Somatic Hip opener exercise to release tight hips

[@PeterBaverso]

WOW I was thinking of you and here you are James in my KZbin feed. Love you brother.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Thank you! 💚 ✨ ⭐ 🙏 ☀️ 😉

[@leelal8873]

Very helpful … I feel spacious around the hip area.. thank you James

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Glad it was helpful! :) James

[@georgiewood7898]

Thank you James, I'm trying your somatic yoga for my sore sit bones, tight hips, hamstrings which developed following a gardening accident last summer, resulting in a fractured wrist. I have eased myself back into walking, swimming, hatha yoga, Tai chi. I am impatient and don't like to sit still too long, so frustrated with the process, but I know these sit bones, legs, etc really wont be rushed. With this gentle somatic approach, I'm hoping something will change. thank you

[@joycelawrence1396]

What do you suggest for students that are tight to sit in this position? Your suggestions are much appreciated. This is an amazing hip opening practice and I love the way you teach. Thank you for creating this video for all of us to learn from.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi Joyce. I just saw your note now. Thx for reaching out and for your kind comments! There are many ways to modify this, and all, Somatic Movement Flows. I'll list a few here.... First, this can be done using a chair as a prop. You'd have the student sit at the front edge of the chair with legs in a widened position. This allows for the student to have more range of motion twisting left and right. Secondly, if on the floor, you can use a folded blanket under the hips for an extra lift. Thirdly, you can extend one - or both legs... and, also put a prop under the knee to help take the pressure off the joints of the knees. Again, as long as the student can still twist right and left. Their range of motion might be smaller, but still effective. Lastly, you can use a block for the hand/wrist that is on the floor. This extra lift can help support the twist. Let me know if that helps. If you'd like more support please email us: [e-mail] 🙏

[@joycelawrence1396]

@@gentlesomaticyoga Thanks James for these thorough modifications. I will use these with my older and extremely tight students. I appreciate the time you took to put together these modifications for me to learn from. I will let you know how it goes. You are helping lots of students with your teachings. Great job.

[@femkekoene8293]

One of the first quotes I learned from Paul Chek was "Repetition is the mother of all skill, provided there is skill in the repetition". Providing people with self corrective tools and independence is an integral part of movement re-education but it takes time. With the end result in mind - invest in working with an experienced practitioner.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

I'm glad this is helping you! 💚

[@femkekoene8293]

it's profound

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

@@femkekoene8293 💚

[@lucycarlos4923]

This is amazing, I ve done it all feldenkrais, phisitherapy, and in three day my body is feeling normal.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Thank you for sharing Lucy! I'm so happy to hear that Gentle Somatic Yoga is helping you. Please remember that the effects of it are cumulative, so if you make this a daily practice you should see that normal feeling continue!

[@lucycarlos4923]

@@gentlesomaticyoga absolutly, I am very disciplined, but three injuries have expelled me from the field of continuity. I hope that I found the..... Champion liberators. You are a a sweet man James, AS WELL

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

That is completely understandable. Go at your body's pace. Thank you for your reply and sweet comment. Excited to have you with us! I offer monthly classes if it's something you feel you'd benefit from.

[@YogiBethC]

Can you say more about the lock in? What purpose does this serve?

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi there. Pardon my delay in getting back to you. I just saw your question. The lock in is similar to reciprocal inhibition. The intention is to affirm the renewed muscle length after pandiculation.

[@lmgates1]

thanks James, nicely presented.

[@charleschungpakchung8794]

I have spent months inveeeestigаting trеating pain frоm hip flexor muscles naturаlly and discоvered а fantastic resource herе twitter.com/09859b0127baad6c7/status/794458642376368128 Beyond Stretching Hanna Somatic Hip opеner exеrcise to release tight hips

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

HI Laura. I just saw your comment today. Thank you! Let's connect in the New Year? Lots to catch up on? :)

[@lmgates1]

Hi! would love to connect with you again. hows your work going? happy holiday time, safe travels and good health to you.

[@chrisbeck5957]

This technique combined with psoas release gave me huge relief from sciatica! The discomfort in my outer thigh disappeared. 🎉

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Wow! What a great testimonial. Thank you for sharing part of your journey with us. Please parson the delay in our response. Have you continued to use this or other GSY exercises to help maintain movement and keep discomfort out of your life? We have many here and even more on our other channel, at gentlesomaticyoga.com ~In Service, the GSY Team

[@cinmac3]

James nice slow well explained, giving the body the information it needs to heal. Do you have talks on what we can do as a muscle cramp exposes itself, That pain hurts, receiving it, I don't knows, some methods might help at times, but..

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Thank you!

[@cinmac3]

Where? You have too many ???

[@petermaier3725]

very well explained, thank you! Is this exercise directly from Thomas Hanna? Which book/resource can you recommend to learn more somatic exercises for various parts of the body? Thank you!

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi there, Peter! Yes, James was trained in Hanna Somatics, straight from the source and recently presented at the Association for Hanna Somatic Education. Depending on your focus and intentions, you could read any books affiliated with the Association for Hanna Somatic Education directly to get an overview. Id you are more inclined to work with the type of movements you encountered here, trying out our online courses might be the way to go. Learn more here: www.gentlesomaticyoga.com/online-courses/ We hope this helps and that you have found more videos here on this channel since you first contacted us. Sorry for the delay in welcoming you to our community. ~in Service, the GSY team

[@brianndelphine33]

Any specific exercise for knees only? Thanks for your great video. My knee feels less heavy

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

I'm glad this is helping you! 🙏

[@qasimrehman1130]

just came across video and get the feeling it's your channel will be very helpful to me... I have a structural longer leg due to a broken leg in infancy wich is now a rotated and tilted hip wich influences my whole posture... do you have any videos or advice for this particular problem please... good health and good karma to you sir...

[@jeelanbasha6221]

?

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Thank you! 💚

[@robynw9810]

I can see this is an older video but I have a question. After doing the first side and going into legs crossed before heading to the opposite side I experienced increase pain to the left hip. After having it internally rotated for those exercises it was not happy. Is this exercise too advanced for some? If so where is one to start?

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi Robin, this is James. One of my assistants replied to your comment first and I wanted to chime in. This sequence can be a challenge for people. I've gotten feedback about this before. When I have a chance, I will film a new video of this Somatic Movement Flow and illustrate all the options one can use for props and modifications.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

In your case, since you experienced hip pain, it is good that you listened to your body as it is important to never move past pain or strain. You could, for example (if in a crossed position), extend the back leg forward - in front of you. That could have made a difference. And/or you could do one part of the sequence and shift to the other side before continuing deeper into the series. And/or lessen the repetitions. And/or use props creatively. If your body is resisting, there is less chance for a repatterning. If you'd like, I can send you a couple of handouts of other Somatic Movement Flows that could help your soma to prepare for this more complex flow. [e-mail].

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Do you have a current list of tips and guidelines? If not, here is a convenient link. Blessings with your practice. Don't hesitate to reach out for continued support. James www.gentlesomaticyoga.com/tips-and-guidelines-for-somatic-yoga/

[@robynw9810]

Oh James thank you for the personal shout out and assisting me with my practice. I will be looking at these tips. I have memories of always having a click in my hips (even as a young dancer) and this internal rotation really woke up some type of temporary demon. I will take a day to go over you recommendations. Honoured to see you personally wrote to me. A friend and student from Deep Cove (Maa Yoga)

[@leRadicidelPiacere]

thanks very nice

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Thank you!

[@montyjamable]

You assume that everyone can get into that position but don't really give any options for people with extremely tight his.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi there. Apologies for the late reply. I just saw your comment. It is not an assumption, but we appreciate your comments and understand that this is a difficult flow to do if you have tight hips. Please visit our website for Tips and Guidelines for a successful practice. We also offered this in our description for the video above to help future viewers. Thank you. www.gentlesomaticyoga.com/tips-and-guidelines-for-somatic-yoga/

[@lilliankergoat1022]

James Knight j

[@treehuggermc1]

If I could even get in the position to stretch, I'd be happy. Unfortunately, I cannot.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi there. Apologies for the late reply. I just saw your comment and the one above. This is a more advanced flow and we have suggestions for people that have difficulty getting into this position. Please visit our website for Tips and Guidelines for a successful practice. We also offered this in our description for the video above to help future viewers. Thank you. www.gentlesomaticyoga.com/tips-and-guidelines-for-somatic-yoga/

[@treehuggermc1]

James Knight Thank you!

[@julievanberkel3058]

I can't even get on the floor without nearly doing myself an injury.

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

Hi Julie. In the description of the my KZbin video above please take notice that I'm suggesting that some participants are strongly encouraged to modify (or omit) this flow.. As with all GSY flows, it is always important to listen to your body and what it needs to stay safe and comfortable. I'm glad you listened to yours. If you choose to follow any of the other Flows on my channel, please review the Tips and Guidelines for a successful practice. www.gentlesomaticyoga.com/tips-and-guidelines-for-somatic-yoga/

[@oneirishpoet]

looks like Erhard is spending too much time in the sun!

[@gentlesomaticyoga]

☀️