Restorative Movement - squatting and such.

[BertieBotts]

I keep reading stuff about this in relation to squats. I've been trying to squat more and I got curious and decided to look up and check if I'm doing it right. I can squat, but it seems I don't do it right as my legs come forwards, my calves aren't vertical.

Anyway, the more I read about it, it sounds like a great thing for me and I'd love to learn more about how to work this kind of movement into my life. Except that all of the websites I'm finding seem to just be huge collections of links to expensive books or DVDs which just explain one small part, which is frustrating.

Does anybody know about it? Is it all a money making scam like juice plus? Is there something in it, and if so, are there any free resources or failing that one decent book which explains how to get started? I don't mind putting money into it if it will be useful but I'm feeling a combination of hopeful and sceptical at the moment.

[MrsMook]

You might have tight and glutes affecting your range of movement. (Do you happen to spend a lot of time sitting?) I'd practice using something like a chair as a barre for support. Concentrate on form, it's better to go a little way with good alignment than to go further and stretch the wrong parts.

There are complimentary exercises that would help, look up "clamshells" which are good at isolating the right muscles. Maybe some ballet bar exercises which are also good for strength.

[BertieBotts]

I do sit a lot which is why I thought mixing things up might be a good idea. I always tend to pull my legs up onto the chair though.

[BertieBotts]

But if it wasn't clear, when reading about how to do squats I was reading about this theory which is to pay attention to how you walk, sit, bend, etc and I'm intrigued. I'm not hugely motivated to exercise but I was using squats when I needed to bend down to reach something etc which works well for me.

For example you say to concentrate on form, but I don't know where to start.