HealthLinks Charleston March/April 2023

48 | www. Char l es tonPhys i c i ans . com | www.Hea l thL i nksChar l es ton . com is one thought as to why the stress is stored in our hips,” explained Kennae Miller, owner of Transformation Yoga. Because of this hip connection between the upper and lower body, Transformation Yoga offers a restorative “yin class” that features a slower pace, longer holds and deeper, passive stretching to restore the nervous system. In general, Americans tend to have more inactive days thanks to long hours at work desks or long periods sitting in front of televisions and in cars and planes. These habits and ways of life can cause a shortening of our psoas muscle, which results in tightness in the hips. “Our psoas muscle also serves as connective tissue; it runs from the inner thigh through the hips and connects to the lower back, thus creating tight hips and lower back pain,” Miller explained. Specific yoga movements – even ones that can be done in bed before you get up or in a chair at work – can help ease these pains. Hip pain and tightness can be an uncomfortable nuisance, but after exploring a few simple yoga positions, Reiki and other therapy techniques, your hips will assure you that they have found some relief. Here are some recommendations from Miller: • While in bed, “lie on your back and slowly pull both knees to the chest as close as desired and breathe deeply for a few breaths. Release both knees and stretch out long, then try bringing one knee toward the chest at a time and holding, releasing and switching sides.” • From a seated position, sit up “as tall as you can and twist the upper body to one side then the other. Try placing one foot on the floor at a time and bending a knee. Cross the opposite foot across the bent leg as high as possible. … then slowly begin to lean forward toward the table or desk until a stretch is felt in the hips, breathe a few breaths, then release and switch sides.” • Chair yoga and chair yoga classes are popular approaches to easing pain. People who have varying capabilities in range of motion, flexibility and skill level find that chair yoga offers a safe space and a safe start. Because chair yoga essentially “brings the floor up,” it can also be an excellent way to stay active after surgery.

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