Hip issues

Hi Susie8,

Just to back up what Gabrielle has said about the emotions coming up – and so you don’t feel it is unusual, I’ve often felt angry after class (though not usually during class). I’m sure the intensity of the strong cardiovascular-aspect of hot yoga contributes to this – if I practice any other sort of yoga, even if it is hard (eg Yin Yoga), it doesn’t happen.

I have noticed over the years that for me, this can be related to my level of cleanliness in my diet and how well hydrated I have kept myself (especially paying attention to electrolyte replenishment). In fact, several good long cooling drinks of water over a few hours after class have helped me “calm down”. I wonder if this is a Pitta-style part of my persona that is sometimes stimulated? (I’m normally a totally obvious Vata-type. Read more about the Ayurvedic types here: http://ayurveda-foryou.com/ayurveda_principles/tridosha.html). So even philosophically, perhaps the anger is some re-balancing going on, whether “old”* emotions or not.

*I just want to correct myself here – it’s worth noting their is no such thing as an “old emotion”, since they can only be experienced in the present moment. Obviously there could still be some issues still unresolved that relate to an earlier experience. I believe emotions are mostly not caused by the present circumstance in any case, but are a predicted reaction based on earlier life experience. But that is only my opinion!!

let us know how it progresses for you when you shed more light on it!

Namaste

Robert

Hi Susie

With Standing Bow, it is fairly straightforward. There is probably a point at which your leg starts to flare out to the side. So I recommend going into the pose until that point. There are quite a number of posts on this pose that can give you directions. This one could be helpful for you: Balancing In Standing Bow. It will give you some guidelines to your set-up and how to maintain this dynamic position no matter how deep you go in the pose. You will find you can keep the ‘offending hip’ down while still kicking that leg backward and create a pleasing backbend and stretch in the front side of your body. Over time the depth of your pose (height of your leg and the extend of your backbend) will improve while maintaining spot on alignment.

For Triangle pose, I think your suggestion of simply going into the lunge for a while can really help you open your hips. The next step to try would be to keep your body upright (vertical, as you do in lunge set-up) and simply move your arms into position without budging your body at all and see if you can maintain your hips and legs positions. This is a half to 2/3 position for you so you won’t be going into the full pose. You can stay looking at yourself in the mirror to check your position. Keep recommitting the lunge.

When you have mastered the above 2 parts then try this: lunge, then move your arms without moving your body at all, then 3rd step would be to move the elbow to a position slightly above the knee. My guess is that part of your problem is moving your arm a little low. That coupled with your tight hips is causing great difficulty. The backward pressure of the elbow on that knee is a great hip opener too. See how it feels once you have first mastered the lunge.

I can’t tell you how long to stay in each suggested part. Play it by ear.

The symptoms you talk about with your back could be a simple core strength deficit. I am eager to hear what others think. I am interested to know about this ache you feel at the end of class. Is it there all the time? On one side more than the other? How long have you had a sore low back for?

As for the neck ache this is likely to be your body working out the kinks you put in as part of your posture at work! 😉 I remember that type of ache after class and I was grateful that I could feel my spine rehabilitating. Is it possible that this is what is happening to you? That you are feeling your body fix itself?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂