Practice Point #31 - Hip Flexors

I received a question from Chanda in India. Their question is...

My front groin or hip flexors are too flexible because of anterior tilt. The front thighs go too forward in lateral standing postures, how to control?

There are those with a more pronounced posterior tilt and those with a more pronounced anterior tilt.

If you are not sure which is which let me give a little explanation.

A posterior pelvic tilt (probably more common) is when the tailbone is tucking under towards the pubic bone and the pubic bone lifts up towards the belly button. Anterior tilt is the opposite when the pubic bone descends down, the abdomen falls forward and the sitting bones move up towards the ceiling.

Some bodies have more extreme anterior or posterior pelvic tilts and we really want to work towards a neutral pelvic tilt.

In the case of the question regarding a pronounced anterior tilt, the key is containment. Often with an anterior tilt, there is too much flexibility.

Focus on:

• Containing the femur bones into the hip sockets. The action of sucking the tighs up to the hips.

• Moving the tailbone under while also pressing the thighs back.

• Give a little lift of the pubic bone up to the naval.

In Adho mukha svanasana work the heels down towards the floor and the sit bones to the heels to keep the abdomen contained back to the spine and squeeze the hips together.

I hope this gives you a few clues on how to work better to not continue to reinforce the anterior tilt in the pelvis, rather contain and find stability.