Why do we open the hips in yoga?
1) To protect the low back.
2) To protect the knees.
3) To find balance.
4) To prepare the body to sit comfortably for deeper pranayama and meditation practices.
5) To release tension in the body and tension in the mind.
If the hip flexors are tight the back will suffer in backbends. If the back of the legs and buttocks are tight the low back will suffer in forward folds. If the hips are tight the knees will suffer when the hips are externally rotated in seated postures.
When the body is out of balance this will be a distraction and eventually lead to injury. This is also an indication of imbalance in the mind.
The body being uncomfortable will be the biggest distraction to your pranayama and meditation practice.
Releasing tension from the body releases tension from the sub conscious layer of the mind. This is why the asana practice is so cleansing for the mind. And why we need to go into the fire and hold the poses for so long.
There’s a few other reasons we might want to open the hips but these are the main ones.
I love that in every workshop I teach when I ask this question the students always come up with a few more reasons that I have never thought of and that I add to my list.
Thank you for coming, everyone! It was fun to practice with you and go deep into the hips. Hope to see you at the next workshop!
