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?

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

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!

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.

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

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)?

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!