inflexible hip joints?

I have been practicing yoga for around 2.5 months. I have noticed greatly improved flexibility in my hamstrings, calves, back, etc. but my hips are a rigid as ever. For example, I lie on my back and bring my knees up, keeping my feet flat on the floor, I then put my left foot on my right upper thigh, I then bring my right thigh toward my chest and grab my right knee and pull the right knee further toward my chest. I can only pull my right knee in very slightly because it becomes very uncomfortable in my left hip socket and groin (same on the right if the pose is reversed). So why are these joints/tendons/muscles/whatever being so stubborn when the rest of my body has become so much stronger and more flexible? Is there any poses I can practice that will loosen this area? Paul

Paul H wrote: > > I have been practicing yoga for around 2.5 months. I have noticed greatly > improved flexibility in my hamstrings, calves, back, etc. but my hips are a > rigid as ever. > > For example, I lie on my back and bring my knees up, keeping my feet flat > on the floor, I then put my left foot on my right upper thigh, I then brin g > my right thigh toward my chest and grab my right knee and pull the right > knee further toward my chest. I can only pull my right knee in very slight ly > because it becomes very uncomfortable in my left hip socket and groin (sam e > on the right if the pose is reversed). > > So why are these joints/tendons/muscles/whatever being so stubborn when th e > rest of my body has become so much stronger and more flexible? Is there an y > poses I can practice that will loosen this area? > Hi Paul, A lot of people find this part of the body hard to open up. The posture usually recommended is "The Butterfly" (baddha koNa:sana). You did not mention your age or existing health conditions. You might have arthritis in your hip joints, for example. Unusual discomfort in the groin area could indicate an inguinal hernia. You might want to have a thorough medical checkup, if it's been a long time since you've had one. Generally speaking, pain means that your body is trying to tell you something, and you should listen to it. The general rule in hatha yoga is that you "touch" the pain, but don't "go into" the pain. Respect your body's limits, and don't expect to achieve a full range of movement overnight. It sounds like you are making progress--what's the hurry? --Don http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yogabare

Paul H wrote: > I have been practicing yoga for around 2.5 months. I have noticed greatly > improved flexibility in my hamstrings, calves, back, etc. but my hips are a > rigid as ever. > > For example, I lie on my back and bring my knees up, keeping my feet flat > on the floor, I then put my left foot on my right upper thigh, I then brin g > my right thigh toward my chest and grab my right knee and pull the right > knee further toward my chest. I can only pull my right knee in very slight ly > because it becomes very uncomfortable in my left hip socket and groin (sam e > on the right if the pose is reversed). > > So why are these joints/tendons/muscles/whatever being so stubborn when th e > rest of my body has become so much stronger and more flexible? Is there an y > poses I can practice that will loosen this area? > > Paul Only 2.5 months is not very long. keep it up. The reason why those tendons and muscles are so very stubborn is simply that they are very strong, and will resist unusual moves stronger than weaker muscles and tendons. In time, they too, will become more elastic. Try doing it with a feeling of relaxation and patience. Don't try so hard that you hurt yourself. S.