Hamstrings Stretch With Wrist Traction

If you are human, if you are woman who wears high heels, if you sit at a desk, if you spend time typing on a computer, then this variation of the basic hamstrings stretch may prove invaluable for you.

Why do I love this variation?

1. You traction your wrist, which means you will be using the weight of your leg to create space in your wrist joint.
2. If you feel tired while stretching, you only have to use one hand to hold your strap.
3. If you are totally addicted to your gadgets, your other hand can be holding your smart phone so you can read the news, listen to music or entertain yourself while you are holding the stretch for long enough to make a difference.

Why do you probably need this stretch?

1. If you are human, more than likely your tight hamstrings are contributing to your back pain, hip pain, knee pain and general fatigue. As  a yoga teacher for the past 19 years, I have rarely come across anyone whose hamstrings are too loose.
2. If you are a woman who wears high heels, your shoes may be contributing to tightness in the back of your legs.
3. If you sit at a desk, your sitting posture contributes to tight hamstrings, low back pain and hip pain.
4. If you type on a computer, the continuous flexion of your wrists may be pressing on your bones and the nerves that flow to your fingers.

Here’s how you do this stretch:

Step One. Take a yoga belt and make a loop.

Make a loop with your yoga belt.

Step Two. Put the loop around the ball of your foot. Then slide your hand through the other end of the loop so that it pulls on your wrist. Wrap your fingers around the two sides of the loop so that you are pulling evenly on both sides of your foot.

Put the loop around the ball of your foot.

So you may think you know how to stretch your hamstrings. Here are a few pointers for those of you who want to ace this pose:

1. Take advantage of reciprocal inhibition. The more you flex your quadriceps, the more you will loosen your hamstrings. Tighten your knee caps. Draw from the flesh around your knees down to the hips.
2. Do not bend your knees.
3. Drop the inner groin of your opposite leg into the ground.
4. Keep both feet flexed.
5. Extend your energy through the heels.
6. Take your opposite arm at a 90 degree angle and press strongly into the floor.
7. Pull your belly button to your spine.
8. If the leg on the ground pops up, lower your stretching leg until you can drop the inner groin of the grounding leg all the way down.
9. Remember to breathe!
10. Hold this pose for at least one minute each side. If you want to change your life for the better, hold the pose five minutes each side on a daily basis.

Your hamstrings relate to your large intestine acupuncture meridian.

On an emotional level, they have to do with letting go of all that no longer serves you so that you can make the space for beneficial change.

As you hold this yoga pose, visualize yourself letting go into freedom, into feeling good and into a healthier way of life.

Want to learn how to learn how to bring balance and harmony back to your body? Set up an appointment with me today by calling 678-612-8816 or emailing catherine@catherinecarrigan.com. We can work either in person or via Skype. You will receive a postural analysis to learn why your body hurts and what you can do to make yourself feel better.