Yoga? Help I need help with flexibility!

[NeverGettingBetter]

I’ve just noticed this last little while how stiff I’ve become, especiallybup the right hand side of my body!! I do regularly partake in a fairly physical and active sport and have done since childhood, but my muscles are already used to what I do. I could really benefit from doing something so that I am bendier than a pencil.

Are there any good apps out there or any good videos to follow in YouTube? I don’t have the time to join a proper class at the moment.

Any advice on this is gratefully welcome. Currently sat in a chair with less bend than a plank of wood.

I can’t cross my legs and sit up! My right thigh hurts. My left leg is fine. But my right leg is hopeless. I can cross them lying on my back though.

helpful

I know Adrirne from YouTube is popular here. I find it too difficult. Interested to see others suggestions.

Thanks for that! I just did a search. There are LOADS of videos there, not sure where to start.

I do think my most problem areas are my hips and lower back. I guess any kind of stretches will help there! But where to begin?!

Yoga and Pilates will help flexibility and core strength. I’d suggest classes at least to start with, rather than a video, because it’s important that someone checks you’re doing the moves properly. A lot of it is to do with correct breathing too.

Another one saying you should find a class, it's easy to have poor alignment and this could hurt more long term. If you have very tight hips (knees are high when you sit crosses legged) you need to be sitting on a block to angle your pelvis.

If this is the area you want to target you could search for gentle hip openers on YouTube. I'll attach pics of some good poses for this area.

A yin yoga class would be good for you. This works on the connective tissue and fascia and is very slow poses held for a long time supported by props. Or a restorative class.

Yes, do find a beginner's course. I echo what others have said about it being important to carry out the poses correctly.

After that, I find Yoga with Adrienne very good. She has a range of Youtube clips, ranging from 5 minute sessions upwards. However, you do need to know what you're doing first to benefit.