Pigeon exercise -- also called pigeon pose -- is a yoga pose that helps stretch out the muscles and ligaments in the hips. It is considered a beginning yoga pose, not only because there are multiple ways to get in to the pose, but also because...
The Mayo Clinic highlights the practice of yoga as a way to reduce stress, control weight and compliment your other fitness routines. Yoga poses may incorporate exercises that increase flexibility, strengthen the body or restore you by taking you...
Flexibility at the hip joint in important for maintaining correct posture and proper alignment. Long days at the office in front of a computer lead to tight and inflexible hip muscles, which can cause lower back pain, as well as poor posture....
The sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body, runs from the lower back down the legs. According to Spine Universe, the sciatic nerve and its nerve branches enable feeling and movement in the legs and feet. The sciatic nerve can become...
The hip area is one of the most important connection points of the lower body. The hips connect to the core, stabilizing the body and also help propel the body forward when walking, running or performing any physical activity. If the hip muscles...
Your psoas muscles are the muscles located in the front of your hip area. These muscles are responsible for helping you lift your leg and move your torso toward your thighs. If you experience a muscle cramp in the psoas area, a number of things...
Yoga can help an athlete build a stronger core, lessen muscular imbalances, and prevent and treat injuries by improving flexibility. Yoga teaches you to exist in and focus on the present moment. Cultivating this type of focus can improve your...
In dance, a full leg extension is a challenging feat that requires tremendous strength in the hip and trunk muscles and flexibility of the hamstrings, hips and lower back. In ballet, a leg extension is called a "developpe" and is distinguished by...
Yoga stretches for the hips will help bring flexibility to your hip flexor muscles, which are directly related to the position of your pelvis. When your hip flexor muscles are unstretched, by long sitting periods and a sedentary lifestyle, your...
Yoga is composed of a wide variety of disciplines and poses that vary in degree of difficulty based on the individual. Yoga is progressive in that one must often master the beginner poses in order to move on to more difficult poses that...
The main muscles you use when doing a backbend in yoga are, you guessed it, your back muscles. However, there are a lot of versions of this pose, and they all call on secondary muscles to get into and maintain the positions. Yoga postures for your...
You may have tight hips if you sit for extended periods of time, experience a new workout, or stand for a lengthy duration. Regardless of the reason, your hips can be stretched in a variety of positions, including standing, seated, or lying. For a...
The piriformis muscle is a small muscle that runs from the base of the spine, underneath the buttocks and ends at the back top of the thigh. This muscle externally rotates the hip joint. Overtraining and improper training can make this muscle...
The inner hip muscles consist of the pectineus, gracilis and adductor brevis, longus and magnus. All of these muscles are responsible for hip adduction, which takes place when you move your thigh inward. Keeping the inner hip muscles lengthened...
Sitting down is the most common posture when you are awake. Whether sitting in a car, at a desk or on a couch, people sit a lot. When you are sitting, your hips are flexed. To combat the effects of tight hip flexors from having your hips flexed...
Soccer players need strong legs to perform rapid changes of pace and direction, dribble, pass, shoot and jump to head the ball. Many of these movements require constant gluteal muscle contraction and extension, leaving room for muscle injury....
The collateral ligaments help give support and stability to the knees. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of the knee and the lateral collateral ligament is on the outside. Stretching these ligaments can help keep your knees flexible...
A full range of pelvic rotation is crucial for dancers. Known as "turnout," pelvic rotation of both of the legs to 90 degrees outward---so that the knees and feet are in a straight line with the heels together---is a key factor in the proper...
Piriformis syndrome -- tight piriformis muscles that are located in your buttocks -- can result from prolonged sitting, exercising after being inactive for a while and increasing your exercise routine too quickly. These tight muscles can put...
Running is a complex set of motions that, once learned, becomes mostly unconscious. Although you use your entire body to run, your legs and hips power your running stride. This stride has three phases -- support, drive and recovery -- which...
You might be tempted to blame your inability to touch your toes on tight hamstring muscles. Inflexible hips can also limit your range of motion. Many common activities, such as running and cycling, strengthen muscles, but shorten or tighten hip...
Sciatica is inflammation and irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs down the back of the leg from the hip to the sole of the foot. According to MayoClinic.com, sciatica is usually the symptom of a deeper problem such as a herniated disc....
Gaining flexibility, like other forms of exercise, takes time and practice. The Mayo Clinic says stretching can increase your range of motion and improve circulation to your muscles. If stretching is not a regular part of your daily routine,...
Your hamstrings make up a group of three muscles located at the back of your legs. When your hamstrings are tight, it can make it painful to walk and sit down. Yoga, an ancient system of holistic health, can help ease tightness in the hamstrings,...
If you suffer from sciatic pain, it may limit your mobility and ability or desire to exercise. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down into your buttocks and legs; irritation of this nerve can lead to radiating pain in your back and legs....
Although yoga may be performed without any special equipment, yoga accessories---usually referred to as props---help a person achieve better alignment in poses. Props can maximize a stretch, make certain poses more accessible and contribute to...
The sciatic nerve runs down the back of the leg from the hip. Sciatica -- inflammation and irritation of the sciatic nerve -- is characterized by pain, numbness or tingling in the affected leg. Sciatica has several causes, such as a herniated...
The adductor muscles sit on the inside of the thigh and they consist of the adductor brevis, magnus and longus. The abductors consist of the gluteus maximus, medius and minimus, and tensor fascia latae -- a small muscle on the side of the hips....
Improved flexibility is a terrific physical benefit of practicing yoga. Flexibility is the ability of a joint to move through its complete range of motion, and it impacts every aspect of physical performance. The greater your flexibility, the...
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