Do you ever wonder why in the world would you need to have open hips? I mean, every body talk about hip openers in the yoga community and in sports some talk about hips mobility. Today is flexi Friday so I will approach that topic. Open hips.

So there are different scenarios and different needs.

Scenario 1) If your lifestyle is to sit in front of the computer for long period of time, meaning more than 4 hours for years by now, you probably will develop the called dormant butt syndrome, but that is another topic. I will discuss later on, my point is clear, if 80 percent or more of your day you spend it sitting then your hip flexors will adapt and get short and your butt will get flat (weak) that means the lower back takes the blame.

Scenario 2) If you are an athlete and overtrained your hip muscles then you will have to balance it up with restorative movements. To stiff in your squats or lower body movements in your training? Then you will look for some hip opening drills.

Either way I enlist couple reasons why you need to keep open hips.

REASONS WHY YOU NEED YOUR HIPS OPEN

It improves blood circulation and cellular health

TIPS TO KEEP YOURSELF MOVING SCENARIO 1

Stand up every hour and walk, stretch, breath deep before coming back

Take a 5 to 10 minutes workout or stretch

Eat standing up

Talk on the phone squatting or hanging

TIPS TO KEEP YOURSELF MOVING SCENARIO 2

Choose hinge exercises such kettlebell swings, cleans, squats, deadlifts.

HIP OPENING POSES BENEFITS 

EASY POSE

Improves external rotation in the hips joints, provides a stable foundation for the spine, improves circulation in the pelvic, calms the central nervous system. The joints of the ankles, knees and hips are gently stretched and opened. Circulation of the blood to the legs is redirected to the abs which is considered good for emotional disorders.

LIZARD LUNGE TWIST

Opens up the hips and chest, stretches the ankles, quads, hip flexors, glutes, groin and neck, Increases rotational spinal mobility.

SEATED FOURTH FLOW

Opens the hip, stretches the groin, activates blood circulation.

Photos: Markus Haas

OPEN HIPS FLEXI ROUTINE

Do 3 sets of 8-12 repetitions each side and for the static pose breath up to 8 times.

So now, you know why is so important to open your hips or keep them flexible enough to be healthy. Let me know if you use some of these tips or what do you do to keep your hip in form?