Do you feel like your hamstrings are always tight, even though you are stretching them frequently? Is it possible that they could be weak, or compensating for other muscles? Where we feel pain or discomfort in the body, is often not where the root of the problem lies.

If you sit a lot, your hamstrings will be in their shortened state, which also turns off your gluteus muscles, and weakens the core.

When you are exercising, doing a yoga practice, playing sports, or even just walking, if your hip muscles aren't doing their job to stabilize the pelvis, then your hamstrings could be working too hard, and kept in a contracted position. Your hamstrings typically feel tight if other muscles in the body aren't doing their job. The brain can get the body to compensate in all sorts of funky ways, so how can we re-train our movement patterns?

Stretching tight hamstrings may not help because they are likely tight for a reason, to give stability. We need to consider how we can both strengthen and lengthen the hamstrings effectively, while also paying closer attention to our overall posture, and our hips.

For long term relief and benefits, and likely help to reduce low back pain, consider how you are training your gluteus and hips flexors, working on deep core strength, and incorporate active load for your hamstrings.

Some ideas for multi-tasking exercises to incorporate into your routine:

-Dynamic squats into balancing on one foot.

-Different lunge variations, try changing the angle of the foot/hips, or try adding more dynamic movement with light weights.

-Little bridge, play with the distance between your pelvis and your heels, try putting your feet up on a chair or up on a wall, or adding single leg variations.

If you are interested to explore more, consider booking a private session with me, or join me on line or in person for a class.

Sign up for classes here.

Current Schedule:

Mondays 10:15-11:15am - Hatha Yoga - Glencoe Members only

Tuesdays 9-10am - Yoga for Better Backs - Glencoe Members

Tuesdays 6:15-7:15pm - Yoga for Better Backs - drop in class @Elbow Park Clubhouse

Wednesdays 10:15-11:15am - Core and Pelvic Floor - Glencoe Members

Thursdays 9:30-10:30am - Yoga for Better Backs - on Zoom

Saturdays 10-11am - Hips and Shoulders - on Zoom

See you on your mat.

Namasté.

Natalie