Discussion: Hip flexors

I've got a hip stretch that has also helped me a lot with the glutes. Will show it to you next time we see each other.

This is good news Charlie that you are running so strongly after so many months of struggle. Keep it up.

Nice going!

Can you describe "pigeon stretches" and also the hamstring stretches on the door jamb?

Here is a picture of someone doing a pigeon stretch. Instead of on the floor I do them on a massage table at a comfortable height, one leg on the floor, the other on the table, gradually leaning more into the knee as it loosens up, switching back and forth every 30 or 45 seconds for about 3 rounds each time I do them.

And here is a picture of someone doing a hamstring doorway stretch. I don't do them with my shoes on, though :).

Yes, that Pigeon stretch is a Yoga pose that we practice frequently. Don't think I will try the hamstring doorway stretch though. Appears to present the potential for a muscle strain.

Pigeon! No way I can get any where near that position. Way too tight with side to side hip flexibility. Probably should work on it, but another era.

The hamstring stretch can be modified by bending the down leg, or by just not putting the up leg all the way straight. My hamstrings are still really
tight, but I think it is taking some pressure off my back.

Pigeon, no way. Door stretch works fine and the stretching is easy to control.

You and I did the stretch on the stairway at the President's House which seems to me very similar to the pigeon stretch. Same effect, or does the pigeon stretch work some other muscles?

Right. I remember now. Same sort of thing.

Pigeon stretch seems pretty easy to me, but maybe I'm doing it wrong. Doorway stretch seems non-risky and probably effective, though I'm not getting my leg straight, likely going at it too aggressively.

You are a pretty flexible guy, as I recall, so maybe a pigeon stretch wouldn't be that much of a stretch for you.

Very flexible in certain directions.

One thing about pigeon pose is that we only do it towards the end of the 75 min class when we are at our maximum warmth and flexibility. Otherwise it could be more problematic.

Well, I do it a few times (or maybe several times) a day, and it is always problematic the first time of a series, and much better each successive time.