Do you feel stiff in your hips, like they just don’t sway like they used to? If you sit in a desk most of the day or stand on your feet you might be tight in your hips and that can cause a lot of pain in your lower back and sacrum. This week we are going to learn a simple stretch you can do in a stationary chair that will alleviate aches and pains in your hips from inactivity. So pull up a chair. Sit on the edge of the chair with your feet planted firmly in front of you and sit up tall. Now cross your right ankle over your left knee, like a man would typically cross his legs. If you are really tight your knee will point towards the ceiling and it will feel very awkward but stick with it. You may feel some stretching in your hip just by being in this position and if so just hang out there for at least 30-60 sec. If you don’t get much sensation lean forward with a straight spine until you begin to feel a stretch in the hip of the leg that is crossed over. After 30-60 seconds change to the other side. Repeat each side at least three times. After you are done, stand up tall. Gently bend at the waist and reach forward towards your toes. Then come back to a standing position and take a walk. See if your hips have a little more swing right to left. Then put an alarm clock at your desk or workstation to help remind you to do this again at least two more times throughout the day. You will find this stretch, when repeated often, will be very helpful in alleviating all sorts of hip and lower back pain. As always let me know how it goes. Live Simply and Wisely, Justine Write to Justine at info@fulleryoga.com or https://www.facebook.com/LaurenJustineFuller
