Hip-Opener Challenge: June 2014

Theorem
There are instances in life where one may think, “I am what I am and there is nothing I can do about it.”

Personal Account
I used to think that way about my hips – although at the time I did not specifically know that my hips were the issue. All I knew was that sitting in full-lotus posture was impossible for me – heck, any type of seated cross-legged  position was a struggle for me. At the time, I was just beginning explorations into the world of meditation, and I realized that simply sitting was an issue for me.

I had just come down from a summer in the back-country and glaciers of Mt Rainier and was feeling pretty indestructible and strong – physically. Yet here I was – I could not even sit properly. My goal was not to open my hips; my goal was to learn meditation. But how could I learn and practice the psycho-spiritual endeavor of meditation, when I could not even sit comfortably. What to speak of lotus posture, when I sat cross-legged my knees popped up into the sky, after a few minutes they ached and burned, and my back was hunched over and uncomfortable. On a good day I would sit for 15 minutes without experiencing too much pain and discomfort.

Gradually though, the more I sat, the easier it got. Though sitting in lotus posture was still beyond thinkable.

After some time I embarked on my first India trip. I was there six months – and sitting was the name of the game. When not touring by bike, then I was either sitting while eating, sitting in meditation, or sitting attending a talk or seminar. Sitting, sitting, sitting – all done on the ground. One day at a musical / chanting session in Rishikesh, I crossed one leg, then another, and I realized I had plenty of more range. I did it again and sat in full lotus – for the first time. Though again, that was never my goal per se, but it was a 2+ year process of getting to that place.

The whole point of this story is that contrary to popular belief, our hips are workable – not made of iron or concrete. No matter who we are.

Modern Living:
Most of us grew up in a land where we sit in a manner where our hips are closed and our hip flexors short / tight. Years of this habit makes sitting on the ground a trying endeavour. But there is hope – and even success – it is just at practice away.

Welcome to The Hip-Opener Challenge (June 2014). All are welcome to participate and proceed at their own rate. Each week we will focus on different hip-openers, going from gradual to more intense postures. All the while, the key point is consistency – not difficulty.

For week #1 (June 1 – 7): We have these following options – choose one that seems appropriate for you:
1. Sit cross-legged on the floor for 15 minutes each day to read, use your i-Pad, knit, repair something, or some other activity.
2. Do ananda balasana (happy baby pose) for five minutes each day.
3. Practice baddha konasana (seated bound angle pose) for five minutes each day.
4. Or do any seated hip-opener pose of your choosing – if your hips are more open.

Remember, here the key point is consistency and patience. If you can practice twice a day that is welcomed. So proceed onwards and let us know what is working and what is not.

Each week the practice will be a little bit different. For week #2 we will explore standing hip-opener poses – stay tuned.

The main thing to bear in mind is that with a little practice and encouragement, you will certainly experience greater comfort, flexibility, and utility – your hips will do the things you want them to do. And that is helpful for the mind.