Video: Hip stretches for Hip imbalance – Myofascial release of Piriformis with a Medicine Ball

I found this great video this morning trying to find some stretches to help keep toes pointed in.  It is uncomfortable to do – but there is a noticeable difference already!

Taken from http://www.functionalpatterns.com/2011/06/07/how-to-fix-walking-like-a-duck-video/

“I see it every day, people walking like ducks. What do i mean by this? Next time you look at a person’s feet while they’re walking, notice if their feet are pointing in the direction they’re moving in or if they’re pointing outward, similar to when a duck walks. Externally rotated hips happen to be one of the most overlooked dysfunctions within the body, yet one of the most significant in terms of building functionality in the lower body. If you look at the Quadriceps during a sprint, it only makes sense that they would extend the knee while moving straight forward, not with an outward angle. Same thing goes with the the Hamstrings as well as the Gluteus Maximus (although they do slightly externally rotate the hip). When your hips are set into an external rotation, It severely limits how well your body is going to move in all planes of motion. Ignoring this imbalance usually will lead to lower back pain, knee pain, ankle injuries, and flat feet. In this video, I utilize Self Myofascial Release with a Medicine Ball to help correct externally rotated hips. This usually happens to be painful initially, but if you’re willing to go through the sacrifice, it’s definitely worth your time! Enjoy icon smile Video: Hip stretches for Hip imbalance   Myofascial release of Piriformis with a Medicine Ball

Shoulder mobility/flexibility

I think my body is trying to adjust to the extra low carb diet, which unfortunately meant that at 5am when I woke up – I did not feel like getting up at all.  So this morning there will be no cardio, only some stretching/flexibility work.  I’ve included below some videos from YouTube of the work I’m doing to improve my terrible shoulder flexibility.  I really like the videos that Kelly Starrett and Carl Paoli do – I highly recommend signing up to the Crossfit Journal as there are some fantastic instructional videos on there too.

First one shows how to do a “Skin the cat”.  I don’t have any gymnastics rings yet but there is an alternative with the trusty broomstick!

Next are “Shoulder dislocations”.  Although they aren’t as bad as the name suggests!  Again with the broomstick :)

And lastly (although it should be first!) a rotator cuff warm up.