22-4-2009 - Update on pains

My mood while writing this blog: happy

I am awaiting another reply from my aunt for her to see if these stretches may help with the tailbone and hips as well. I also have an appt with a physical therapist on the 29th so I am hoping to learn some moves there as well. She says to look up the yoga positions which is a great idea because as soon as I googled it I saw the pictures of the muscles and everything! I will let you ladies know what she has to say about the tailbone and hips as well as soon as I hear back from her :o)

My yoga instructor aunt responded to my email and this is what she says (see below)...

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What you're describing sounds a lot like you have tight psoas muscles. Any stretch that will open up the front of your hips like a quad stretch but support yourself beside a wall and look up, arching your back a bit to open up the front of your low belly as well as the hip flexors in front. If balance is an issue, you can do the same on your side (i.e. laying on right side, take your left ankle in your left hand behind your back, pull your ankle towards your but and arch your back.) OR a deep lunge forward, have your back knee on the floor, take your body weight forward (so your hips move fwd) and arch your back slightly. It helps to look up. Tuck your tail bone downward as well, that will help stretch the muscle.

To get a visual - go to web.md and check out psoas or ilio-psoas muscle tightness. You may be able to find stretches that way. OR yoga journal website, look at the pose "cresent lunge" or "flying lunge".

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psoas_major_muscle