FIXING CHRONICALLY TIGHT HAMSTRINGS: 3 Simple Steps

[@TaroIwamoto]

Get your FREE "Movement Guide to Pain-Free Back" here: mailchi.mp/6434a8b84f49/movement-guide-to-pain-free-back Suggested book(s): - Awareness Through Movement: amzn.to/3jrRZ70 (*my amazon affiliate link)

[@HighVibePortal]

THANK YOU!!!

[@stu-0808]

This will take some time but I am pretty confident in your approach. As Wayne Dyer said, “ Infinite patience produces instant results.”

[@kathleen8627]

You are a wonderful teacher. I have NEVER heard this explained. I was just told that I had tight hamstrings and that I needed to stretch. You explain WHY hamstrings get short. You explain HOW, in your daily movements, to stretch the hamstrings. It's not just doing stretching exercises. It's CHANGING how I move. Thank you for posting this.

[@annes7948]

I love the fact that you are teaching people how to help their own bodies with feldenkrais.

[@gertrudestrawberry]

For decades I've tried to get the right key for ideal lumbar and pelvic position. I practiced your description of reaching here and got it immediately. Chronic left lumbar tension and associated pain improved immediately and within a week my back is feeling better than I can remember. Thank you!

[@srisungazesplash1340]

Can you plz share which of his video you followed for lumbar pain relief? Would be so helpful for me.

[@jmc8076]

@@srisungazesplash1340 Watch this video again and focus on how to reach fwd and position of pelvis. He repeats it many times.

[@jalajamenon8664]

Thank you Taro🙏🙏🙏

[@adilahbrodie]

I am a long distance runner and my right hip has been bothering me off and on for years. I’ve tried so many exercises. This one brought such relief to my hip! thank you!

[@reverie9398]

I've been watching your videos for a while now. They're truly great. They have helped me a lot. Thanks a lot, Taro.

[@TaroIwamoto]

My pleasure!

[@TheGreenLanternLives]

Great tips!

[@rastagirl007]

THANK you, Taro. Even though I have practiced yoga for 20 years and qi gong for 6, my ham strings seem to always be tight. I so appreciate this practice and will adhere to it!!

[@jmc8076]

Wow if yours are tight I don’t feel so bad. Amazing. Hope it helped.

[@tinathomas3288]

So chill and cool are you and greatful I am for information given

[@madeleinesmith8087]

Taro, thank you I had to say before I retire to bed. It’s been a damp, cold weekend in Ottawa and my lower back went into those spasms from stenosis in the lumbar area. I went mindfully through those stretches, sitting, bending, putting shoes on. I had to fix that pelvis constantly. And the pain receded. Interesting and simple. God Bless you. m

[@once4all125]

this is seriously underrated, thank you for your knowledge!!

[@maxwelllove1182]

You are a good man Taro. Thank You.

[@Indrayavam]

For months I have been taking medicine for fibromyalgia and I was experiencing tightness in my leg. Whatever stretch exercise I do it won’t go. I just sat the way you advised and was astonished to feel the relaxation. My hamstring was super tight that I couldn’t sit at first but that was the reason! Thanks a lot Sir 🙏

[@dineshs13655]

Thank u sooo much Taro for the excellent guidance

[@hbspecial]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@ES-fr3yz]

Thank you for this video.

[@romanmarchenko6739]

Great suggestions!

[@MsVivian99]

My left leg/ knee seized up and back of knee. This has opened my eyes! Now have something to work on that I feel will def help stiffness at back of knee and thigh:) feeling happy. Thankyou

[@myrna8131]

Your explanations help me to understand how to move my body correctly. Thank you.

[@TaroIwamoto]

Glad to hear that!

[@kimmcallister4992]

I had no idea that my hips could tilt forward to help me bend/stretch! Thank you for the videos you provide and the awareness you shine on the wonders of our body's movements.

[@TaroIwamoto]

Learning about own body is fun, isnt it?

[@AGomez-gp9ts]

Thank you! Your channel has been so helpful!

[@bridgetambrose9206]

Thank God for people like you, loved the shoulder and hamstring videos... I will definitely share it.....🌈💯💜

[@kellinachbar1962]

I learn something useful about my body and movement patterns with every video you make. I've had tight hamstrings for decades and they prevent many kinds of stretches that I want to do. I'm going to try to incorporate these movements into my daily habits. Thank you Taro!

[@TaroIwamoto]

You are welcome!

[@Debbest00085]

Wow excellent advice to ensure my pelvis is forward to strengthen my hamstrings.

[@reinemadeleine]

Best solution steps I have ever seen!

[@serenakoleno9338]

Thank you for sharing this information. My hamstrings are probably the tightest muscle. Yoga is helping, but I will incorporate your tips, too.

[@jaymefrancisco7286]

Been watching your videos & they are a great help for me who is 62 y.o. it has improved my mobility. Thank you very much

[@RobYu]

Appreciate your explanation and the perspective! Looking forward to learning more about the principles here

[@brianfabrizio4676]

Great content.

[@franimal86]

My tight hamstrings are why I could not do a full stretch sitting on the ground, elbows on the floor with legs splayed out. I could never relax the hamstrings enough to bring my arms anywhere near the floor, so I’m glad you did this video!! I’m going to try these out.

[@lauraquijano5898]

You are a genius. Thank you so much. I’ve been doing your videos for a couple weeks now and I have less back pain.

[@TaroIwamoto]

My pleasure!

[@RachelGerrard]

I love how he explains how it works xxx

[@nancyvillasis4276]

Thanks this video is a lot of help.

[@jhezzy]

Thank you. This is game changing information!

[@bvwol]

I am a disc golfer. My left hip has been bothering me. These exercises have helped a lot. Thank you. I have subscribed.

[@TaroIwamoto]

wonderful! Great to hear that!

[@wormemc]

I've never been able to stretch my hamstrings. I hope this works for me. Great video.

[@alburyeel4993]

Thanks Taro, do you do readings? Seriously this was great!!👍👍❤❤

[@jenniferpeterson4051]

I so appreciate your well done well paced and pertinent videos! It’s easy to see that you are so knowledgeable. I love that you are practical and present your info in such a relatable way. I particularly want to compliment you on how you repeat points so it’s easier to remember when you are trying to bring these concepts into your daily life. Thank you so much and keep them coming😀

[@TaroIwamoto]

Thank you!!

[@lifeofjoy9404]

I agree!!🥰🤩💯💫🤗

[@jessbooth5495]

Amazing😃 Thank you so much for making this content. I’ve had chronic back pain for years and have been working hard to get strong. I’ve seen multiple care providers and no one mentioned these tips. I couldn’t work out why I get such sore hamstrings when I’ve been stretching. I modified my stretches and feel the difference. Your tips for sitting and movement are very helpful too! Im going to try sitting on the floor now! 👏👏👏

[@TaroIwamoto]

My pleasure! Please take your time to adjust to floor sitting as the body needs time.

[@jessbooth5495]

@@TaroIwamoto I rarely comment on videos and wasn’t expecting a reply☺️Thank you, I will. Have a lovely day ☀️

[@sarahbhutta251]

Changing the angle of pelvis immediately changes the the intensity of the stretch. It would be helpful to see examples of the other two suggestions in real life scenarios. ie how to incorporate them into our lives while doing tasks.

[@TaroIwamoto]

everyday activities such as reaching down to pick up something on the floor, tie shoes, put on shoes, reaching forward to grab a cup of tea on the table, etc. Anything that involves reaching, which we do a lot.

[@Peanut1973martine]

I've always sat on a chair with pelvis not right I got sciatica and painless hamstring area feeling of tightness been kept happening on the left leg driving me mad this is helpful information thanks for allowing me to understand I had shortened hamstrings in the leg

[@853rudedogs2]

Thank you Taro for hip hinge hamstring stretch, makes mechanical sense

[@MegaMusical10]

FANTASTIC! Thank you.

[@TaroIwamoto]

you are welcome

[@spinnettdesigns]

Thank you for this informative video, Taro. For years I’ve been told to have a neutral spine, which usually included tucking the hips in. It always felt unnatural to me but I continued to do it. So my poor body doesn’t know what to do! I thought my shins were the tightest but I noticed most, that my whole pelvic area is tight when I sit on a block. (I’m working toward the A. Squat) So it’s giving me a better idea of what area needs the work. But I like your video because it is a holistic approach, rather than working certain areas. After all, the body is a unit and each part affects the other. Thank you again 🙏🏻

[@TaroIwamoto]

exactly! Everything is connected:)

[@LokeyeMC]

Really great stuff here.

[@cathygauronski5354]

TY Taro. It’s very helpful to now know how to apply this to our daily sitting habits

[@TaroIwamoto]

Great!

[@mietonen]

Super helpful! 🥰🥰

[@CherylPaulina]

super helpful!!!!! I needed this reminder - you are wonderful, thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure!

[@carolynharder6304]

Thankyou so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@comishifilms]

Love the videos will definitely keep watching through most of them !

[@sebd8425]

Thanks. I’ve been trying a lot of things but this one seems on point.

[@margaretnash9553]

THANK U 4 ALL OF UR GREAT INFO & DEMONSTRATING THE MOVEMENTS PERFECTLY❗✌️😎👍

[@TaroIwamoto]

My pleasure!!

[@danapeck5382]

Huge help, thanks!

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure!

[@lazarocedeno5270]

Very helpful. Thanks. Valuable information.

[@Just_me_1974]

I feel like I waste money on chiropractic, massage and PT when they don't share any of this info that can actually help. Thank you for your videos.

[@SuB-io6ku]

this is so clear Taro really helpful for daily use Thanks

[@TaroIwamoto]

You are welcome!

[@Toby_Drummer]

Very informative as usual! Great ideas that can be incorporated into everyday movements. Thank you Taro!

[@pameladeines5353]

You are great. Your stuff WORKS.

[@TaroIwamoto]

Glad to hear that!

[@annaarnoudova1717]

Thank you from California

[@ranmyaku4381]

Really appreciate your videos. Thank you so much. Any suggestions for stubborn tight calves?

[@themassageflow]

You are really helpful! Thanks!

[@TaroIwamoto]

you're welcome:)

[@kimberlyschevtchuk5386]

Extremely helpful. I appreciate the explanations and focus on the structural alignment issues rather than just providing isolated muscle movement instruction. A refreshing approach and much more effective at relieving pain. I also greatly appreciate inclusion of how to integrate the new structural alignment into common daily movements, e.g. reaching forward, bending to pick up, sitting at computer, etc. I hope to reduce total body pain, by incorporating better movement in my daily living. Thank you for sharing this valuable movement training.

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure! Incorporating new movement habits into daily activities is a key for long-term changes!

[@taliatrainin8111]

Dear Taro, your professional videos and kind attitude are wonderful, and I'm very grateful. Is it possible to receive personal training via zoom for a very painful, limiting and complex physical situation? Many thanks!

[@TaroIwamoto]

unfortunately I no longer offer private sessions due to too large volumes. But you can contact me via my website.

[@luzarsacdetoro903]

Top! And you so kind!

[@TaroIwamoto]

thank you:)

[@alainsimeon3196]

Very interesting video. I would be interested to know how to best stretch my calf muscles. I have Achilles’ tendon issues, apparently related to tight calfs. Thanks.

[@neelampanjwani88]

Thanks a lot

[@barkanellichasingdreams4142]

Hello your videos are great! I learn som much and it is easy to do.

[@7THxSIGN]

Thank you sir. This is without a doubt the best hamstring stretching video I have seen. Makes complete sense why some people feel no change after stretching their hamstrings. May I ask a question. I have very tight hamstrings and this is one of the reasons I injured my back squatting and deadlifting in the gym. I have a L5 disc bulge and my spine surgeon says it will heal on its own in time. Is it okay to perform these hamstring stretches? Making sure to tilt the pelvis forward as I stretch.

[@TaroIwamoto]

here is a good video for you kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH_Nma13irl7jK8

[@7THxSIGN]

@@TaroIwamoto thank you!

[@jcleivaamoros]

THANK YOU, I did needed this 🙏

[@ServusDei74]

Use a seiza chair 80% of the time, and sit on the floor, the other 20%. I find that this is the “magic” code for my hamstrings. I will Incorporate bending from the pelvis, as this simple practice seems to be the key! Thank you! It’s always fascinating to me, how wrong I have been moving my entire life!! Athlete and professional Soldier, now retired, you’d think I would have learned, or discovered, this along the way!

[@TaroIwamoto]

i love seiza chair! we can all learn and improve if we choose to do so, can't we?

[@traceylinmiller5628]

I have an adjustable seiza/ kneeling chair and a tiny bench (that I no longer use) that I only use to say morning and evening prayers because my knees no longer allow for a floor position. Also getting up off of the floor is almost impossible.

[@ServusDei74]

@@TaroIwamoto We all have immense capacity for change, if the pain and needless suffering is outweighed by our desire to be free and to grow in understanding. Easier said than done, as with any challenge. In my experience I have always found that overcoming any challenge makes you stronger, and more aware that the impossible is often possible once we decide it is!

[@Lisa-cp5xl]

@@TaroIwamoto I learned of the Seiza chair from you. It looks incredible! As someone who lost a lot of work over covid I am no longer in a class level where I can even dream of affording it! It makes me sad when innovative, healthy ,immediately helpful solutions are not accessible to people with low income/resources. Your videos,however are incredible! Deep bow of gratitude to you,Taro! You are teaching our bodies to remember their innate miraculous intelligence! Awe inspiring

[@alonspitz86]

Your videos are great. Thanks for the quality content 🙏🏼

[@TaroIwamoto]

My pleasure!

[@ABC-gv1kf]

Excellent advise and pointers! Question: What’s your take on weight training vs Bodyweight training for functional fitness and longevity?

[@TaroIwamoto]

if your goal is functional fitness and health, I think body weight training can accomplish that. weight training for specific functional activities and performance is beneficial and necessary, but body weight is also a form of weight training.

[@ABC-gv1kf]

@@TaroIwamoto When you say, Specific functional activities & performance are you referring to a sport specific activity? Can you give an example? I use to compete in boxing and when I trained with weights I felt strong & explosive but not as mobile and I would fatigue. But when I Bodyweight train (mostly push ups, pull ups, jumping squats, etc.) Overall I felt better. The more I focus on Bodyweight movement the less I feel we need to weight train.

[@ScarabKing143]

@@ABC-gv1kf , if you like both strong explosive and mobile, so do both with moderation.

[@LeoCreatini]

thanks Taro!

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure!

[@dawnjohnson8739]

Thank you!❤️

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure!

[@shafra4337]

Great thank you vTaro very helpful explanations. I have been diagnosed with Tendonophy where my hamstring inserts into the ishium. My left hammy is also longer than my right. Any thoughts on whether these will be good stretches to do? Thank you....

[@TaroIwamoto]

i would focus on retraining your movement patterns so you start to do bending and reaching movements leading with pelvis. i would not stretch aggressively to avoid irritating the area.

[@MIck1-10]

Thank you

[@gra5223]

Some people might have a difficult time understanding how to roll the hips forward. Just think about keeping your chest up through the movement.

[@serenity_in_chaos]

Thanks!

[@TaroIwamoto]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@serenity_in_chaos]

@@TaroIwamoto Thank YOU for having helped me a lot with your videos, too. ❤

[@AlottaDixonCider]

love your content; I have to listen at 2.4x speed however.

[@tommccahill1325]

I’m hoping I’ve understood this lesson correctly and hope you will correct me me if I’ve misinterpreted it. I’m understanding that if I move my pelvis “forward” before reaching, I should be stretching my hamstrings correctly.

[@TaroIwamoto]

That is correct. When moving pelvis forward, you are lengthening hamstrings. You want to associate this movement pattern with forward bending and reaching activities so daily functional activities become hamstring lengthening opportunities. This is why retraining movement patterns and nervous system is the main aim.

[@mtwata]

Woah the pelvis shifting is mind blowing! Question about sitting on the floor please: if I want to emulate sitting on the floor while I'm sitting on my office chair (working), would adding a foot rest that's about the same height as the chair work? (while keeping in mind the pelvis position). Thanks!

[@TaroIwamoto]

i see, yes kind of except that you will be kept in long sitting position and cannot easily move in and out of one position. i personally prefer to have movement availablity

[@mtwata]

@@TaroIwamoto makes sense, thank you!

[@nubbyrose87]

Makes sense and tilting the pelvis has an immediate effect on hamstrings. I will do more floor setting. I just ordered the Awareness Through Movement book from amazon.🙏

[@TaroIwamoto]

Awesome!!

[@KM-co5mx]

Thank You for sharing this video. Question please… I always have tight calves too, especially right behind the knee. Why is this? And what do you recommend to fix this issue? Thank you 🙏 I’m always the tightest when I wake up in the morning.

[@TaroIwamoto]

what type of footwear do you use daily? do you incorporate calf stretching daily?

[@KM-co5mx]

I wear walking shoes or sandals. And I stretch my calves and hamstrings every morning. Thank You 🙏

[@echokehn4990]

Profound

[@buttercup1765]

Bless you!

[@oren2288]

This may save my life. I am serious. My pain/s are constant and debilitating. No PT has been able to help. Until next time - J

[@lexroet1215]

Luckily I have a lot of options to stretch my hamstrings like this during the day. Let's see how tomorrow goes

[@djVania08]

Taro, do you have any tips for herniated discs in lumber spine?

[@TaroIwamoto]

Retraining movement patterns focusing on differentiating hip movements from back movements will be a key concept for you. My Improve Back Playlist will be helpful: kzbin.info/aero/PLYIB3CxhjXizxG-lW7Nkzr7hU4z_-fcIw

[@johns7530]

It seems like in moving the pelvis forward, what can be an issue for people is weakness and inhibition in the muscles that do that. The iliacus (more than the psoas because the origin of the iliacus is the inner pelvis rather than lumbar spine), TFL, rectus femoris, and anterior glute medius. I think especially the iliacus, since it is the deepest muscle and more difficult to feel. I'm not great at it myself yet but feel like when those muscles get a bit stronger and more engaged, it will make moving the pelvis forward and the hamstring stretch much more effective.

[@phase0ne]

Any preferred methods to help sciatica? 🙏🏽

[@TaroIwamoto]

I actually sciatica exercise series in my improve pelvic alignment playlist.

[@katienorthenmore1892]

thankyou

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure

[@LokeyeMC]

Would love to see a video on why hips get tight. This is a good series.

[@nikolasimeonov]

Is this also connected to tight hip flexors in any way?

[@TaroIwamoto]

Same idea, yes. Related to lifestyle particularly chair sitting

[@isabelariassantos4270]

Thank you. You are amazing. I love Feldenkrais practice. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Always thankful. Best.

[@TaroIwamoto]

my pleasure!

[@job3017]

awesome

[@havefunandbikestuffOver40]

I'm a newly healed right tibia plateau fracture guy. I'm 1 year into the healing process come April 25th. I often have left leg hamstring pain and burning and may have overworked or over strained left hamstring. I ofent sit on a couch or chair. I try to use my healed side as much as possible, but I probably am over dependent on my left side when moving around. Do you think these stretches will help me. Thank you very much.

[@TaroIwamoto]

as you said, you have probably been compensating due to right tibial fracture and have been dependent more on left leg. So it's important to pay attention to your walking and movement patterns and start to restore optimal gait and movement to reduce dependance on left leg. Along with that, incorporating these strategies presented in this video would be a good idea.

[@MichaelRWright]

Liked and Subscribed.

[@TaroIwamoto]

Welcome:)

[@jaysysumakaRatMaster3]

Best watched at 1.75 speed… way to slow to get the point across but they’re good points 👍🏼