Loosen up those hips to lighten up a bit, release stress and heal your body.
“Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away” Benjamin Franklin (July is America month so we’re sticking with Ben for inspiration).
One way to laugh is to release your stress. One of the main reasons we are uptight as a species relates to how much we worry. All that worry is housed in our bodies unless we release it. We hold most of our stress in three places: 1) the back, 2) the shoulders and neck, and 3) the hips.
A great exercise to release some tension in the hips and thighs is called “Triangle.”
It’s a well known yoga pose and we find it to be quite difficult for those who have tight hamstrings (the back of the thighs), especially people who sit and/or drive a lot.
Beginner Triangle is easier to do, gives you the hip stretching benefits while gently easing up the hamstrings, and can be done right at your chair or at a rest stop on the road.
We learned this beginner method from one of our favorite exercise authors Miriam Austin in her book Yoga for Wimps. Yoga Journal calls Triangle one of the better stress relieving poses as well. Here’s how Miriam says to carry out the pose (Olga Demonstrates).
If you are using a chair, be sure to place it against the wall so it doesn’t slip.
“Stand with your left side facing the chair seat. Your feet should be 2.5-3 feet apart. The toes of your left foot should be under the chair seat, aligning the heel of your left foot with the arch of your right foot. Lift your quadriceps muscles and turn your thigh outward. Lengthen your lower back and lift your sternum. Extend your arms outward, shoulder height, palms facing downward, and elbows straight. From the hip crease, laterally lean toward the chair. Place your left hand on the chair, place your right hand on your hip. Keep your head aligned with your spine, and look forward. Hold for 20-30 seconds, release and switch sides.” – Yoga for Wimps, Miriam Austin.
Do you have any other exercise suggestions for stress relief?