This week, we are back to hip rotation. This standing Hip CARs (Controlled Articular Rotations) help move the hip joint along every axis of movement. Once that new mobility has been obtained, we can work on gaining new range in hip external rotation.
Hip Openers
Rotation Month – Week One
This whole month we are going to be playing with rotation. It sounds simple , and it is, but it is no easy. Most people who experience stiffness and lack of fluidity in their movements are lacking rotational mobility. Hang out with us all month long for new videos and for some movement motivation.
We are going to start with the hips. If you have been stretching your hips, but they never seem to get looser, try some rotation. Rotating the hips could be the missing link in your mobility program.
Next, let’s keep that new hip mobility by strengthening into hip external rotation. Try this little, but mighty move to help your hips stay healthy.
Posterior Kinetic Chain – Week One
This month, we are working on stretches and exercises that allow us to work with our posterior kinetic chain. We will be focusing on the lower portion of the chain – mainly the glutes, hamstrings, calves, and arches. Follow along all month long.
For this first week, we are starting with a full body stretch that opens up the hips, spine, chest, and shoulders. When we are tightened down, we don’t move properly. So, this stretch is a great place to start. Then, we will learn where the posterior kinetic chain is by loading it.
Bike Month – Week Two
All month long, we will be going over moves and stretches to keep you healthy on and off your bicycle.
This week, we are focusing on hip extension (when the leg extends behind the pelvis). We are starting with an anterior hip release so that we can open the front of the hips and then moving on to an exercise that allows us to strengthen in hip extension.
Jumping Month – Week Two
Jumping requires us to stay balanced as we move up and down. These 2 exercises help us strengthen the ankles and hips so that we are less likely to collapse when jumping.
Jumping Month – Week One
This month we will be working on exercises that help with jumping and other dynamic movement. To start off, let’s open up our hips in an active way and the use a variation on a bridge to help engage the posterior chain of the body.
Foot and Ankle Month – Week Three
We are focusing on the ankles this week. In this first stretch, we are trying to gain ankle mobility in combination with hip mobility, since both are needed for proper gait. The second exercise is a little twist on a calf raise to help you integrate the calf strength with the rest of the posterior chain.
Balance Month – Week Four
This is our last week of balance challenges. We are opening up the hips this week with our standing figure 4 stretch and by progressing our single leg balance to challenge all the motions of the hip.
Hip Month – Week 5
We are going to close out hip month by activating and lengthening our posterior chain with these 2 exercises.
Hip Month – Week 4
This week we are moving through our stretches, making them dynamic and loaded to help utilize our new found flexibility.
Brenna Backe 