Good core strength, not bad fitness, so why

[UnbendyWendy]

...can't I do certain pilates moves? I'm thinking of the one where you are sitting, and you bring your legs up together and straight in front of you, so your shape is lik a V? Or just lying on your back, scissoring legs - my legs have to be very bent. It can't just be tight hamstrings can it? What can I do to get my body to do these things?

[KatoPotato]

I would try doing some deep sciatic nerve stretches first? How long have you been doing pilates?

[UnbendyWendy]

Ok...
I do have tight hamstrings - I can't sit up straight on the floor with my legs out in front, nor can I bend over my legs or bend forwards - it just won't go unless I bend my legs.

I get pain in the crease at the top of my legs when I do quite a few pilates moves - is that hip flexors?

How do I know whether it is my pelvis muscles that are the problem? I had SPD in my last pg, which is gone now, aside from a weakness where my pelvic bones really hurts if, say, I use my foot to move a heavy box (by pushing against it with the inside of my leg iyswim?).

My hips on occasion also sort of 'pop out' very painfully if I straddle something(!) too wide, but it is instant, and as soon as it happens, I leap back into a better position and it feels fine again.

Aww gawd, I sound almost decrip don't I?

If I do that stretch and bend MoreSnowPlease, I can get my body parallel with the floor but no lower unless I bend my legs.

What are deep sciatic nerve stretches? I have been doing pilates for, um, eight years lol!

Thanks!

[KatoPotato]

Lie on your back with one knee bent to start, take the opposite leg by the calf or use a towel on the arch of your foot and try to straighten your knee as much as possible and pull. it's not a muscle stretch, its a nerve stretch and should feel 'nervey'

www.pilatesunion.com/exercise-of-the-month/10/

In the link it advises stetching to side or to chest, I stretch to chest.

[KatoPotato]

Oh and as you get into the stretch, straighten the opposite leg.

[UnbendyWendy]

I have done that stretch before Kato - I recall it made my knee boing up and down! What effect should it have (on doing it and long term)?

[KatoPotato]

It makes my lower leg tremble! It helps by lengthening the sciatic nerve therefore should make everything work better and aid your flexibilty.

Please use with caution, I'm not a professional by any manner or means but my instructor has us do this stretch at every session, just before the dreaded 5 minute plank!