DESCRIPTION
Today's focus is on opening the lateral side of the hips and legs. The lateral side is crucial because it facilitates daily functions like walking and hip/knee stabilization.
Equipment: foam roller
1) Myofascial Release
Come to the side of your body and bring the top leg over to help you balance. Start with the foam roller right below the hip and begin rolling up and down the thigh. The purpose of rolling out is to break up the knots and adhesions in the muscles, so if you come across a point of intensity, hold there and let it soften. Slowly switch sides after rolling out the first leg for around two minutes.
2) Dynamic Warmup
Start with your feet hip-width apart, toes pointing forward or slightly out. With your hands on the tops of the thighs, hinge at the hips while maintaining a neutral lumbar curve. Keep a soft bend in the knees and slide your hands down toward your shins and if possible, all the way to your toes. Bend the knees and bring the butt down towards the floor. If you have the mobility, extend the arms overhead. Return to standing and repeat at your own pace.
3) Static Stretching
Gomukhasana (Cow Face Pose)
This pose begins by sitting with your right knee bent and the heel near the outside of the left hip. Your left leg will go over the right. Adjust yourself as necessary to get your knees to stack on top of each other. Then sit as upright as possible. If this isn’t enough for you, fold forward. Wherever you are in this pose, try to relax as much as possible. Allow your hips to be heavy and let your jaw and face soften. Hold here, close your eyes and breathe.
Wide Baddha Konasana
In the final pose, extend the legs so that they are wider than 90 degrees and have the bottoms of your feet touching. If you need support for your knees, use a bolster or rolled up blanket. From there, bring your hands across the top of your shins. Use that pressure to pull your chest forward, rotate your hips out from underneath you and begin to fold forward. If you can, try to lay your chest on your shins and reach your hands out past your feet. Be sure that wherever you are in this pose that your shoulders are remaining soft and your chest is pressing forward. Hold this pose for a few minutes and be sure to take full, deep breaths. Slowly support yourself out of the pose and gently assist your knees together.