Open Your Hips for Better Yoga and a Better Life.

When I lead my yoga classes through a sequence of hip openers, there's bound to be a few grunts and moans; looks of fear creep up onto some of my students' faces. Those of us who run, bike, play sports and even sit at desks all day can find hip openers to be very intense -- and sometimes, very scary -- but it's safe to say that all of us could benefit from them. Hip openers are a really great way to release and practicing "letting go."

The hips are the foundation of our lower bodies. Our hips connect our pelvis to our leg bones and support the spine, and when we walk, run, or do any kind of movement with our legs, our hips keep the pelvis balanced. If we do not dedicate time to opening up our hips, we are in store for future pain and suffering: tight hips contribute to back pain and tight hamstrings. When we do hip openers, we increase the range of motion in our femur bones in our hip sockets, we lengthen our hip flexors, and this also helps us with back bends and seated postures in our yoga practice.

Our hips store much of our tension and emotional stress. When we do hip openers, we must find courage. The origin of the word "courage" comes from the Latin meaning "from the heart." It is important that we move into our hip openers with an open heart, and stay with our experience with every inhalation and exhalation. Focusing on our breath helps us stay in the present moment, noticing every sensation that arises and goes away.

Practicing hip openers allows us to practice letting go. Letting go serves as a great challenge for many of us because letting go means letting go of our guilt and shame, mistakes and addictions, our bodies and our failed relationships. It also means letting go of what we think a pose "should" look like and instead, doing our yoga practice feeling as best as we possibly can, not judging or criticizing ourselves, and accepting with unconditional love whatever experience comes up for us.

By doing hip openers and practicing letting go, we can stay present with each moment, allowing us to stop living in the past and giving ourselves the ability to move forward in our lives. Through hip opening, we can feel lighter and less burdened. Opening our hips can be a profound experience, if we let it.

Here's an easy hip-opener that can be done at home -- all you need are two folded blankets and one firm pillow.

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle Pose)

Lie flat on your back and bring the soles of your feet together, releasing your thighs towards the floor. Place a folded blanket under each knee to give your legs support, and allow your hips to release. Place the pillow underneath your head. Make sure to breathe, and be with your experience. Stay in this pose for ten minutes.

Michelle Uy is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Owner of LoveActionYoga. She is also certified to teach Yoga Thrive, a therapeutic yoga program for cancer survivors.