Tone Those Legs + Relieve Back Pain

By Melissa Williams, Yoga Instructor, RYT

Low backache? Your inner thighs may be to blame.







While we attribute much of that pain to sedentary lifestyle, or a lifestyle where too much time is spent sitting (in a car, at a computer, etc.), there is another cause of back pain... weak inner thigh or adductor muscles.

Mothers often complain of back pain, whether their children are newborns or grown and out of the house.

Why? Pregnancy can weaken the inner thigh muscles, causing the tailbone to tuck, creating tension in the low back and further weakening the legs. If it goes uncorrected, posture can be affected as can every day movements.

Ready to get started in righting this wrong, without having to buy the 1990s ThighMaster?! We’ve worked out and we are going to walk you thought them!

Oh, and take your fish pills of course. Check out today's sponsor, Res-Q, we take them every day here!

Perfect Your Posture With These 3 Easy Yoga-Inspired Moves

Low Lunge

From standing, step your right foot back into a lunge, releasing your right knee to the floor. Imagine you’re squeezing a small ball between your inner thighs, lifting the pelvis in the process. Once you feel that engagement, feel free to bring your arms to your left thigh, or extend them overhead. Hold for 10 breaths and switch sides.

Side Plank with Legs

This is a challenging pose, so take your time working into it. Start in a push-up position. Slowly rotate your weight onto your right hand, lifting your left hand off the floor. Bring your left leg so it is resting on top of your right. You’re now in side plank. If you have the strength, try lifting your right leg off the floor. Your left inner thigh will fire up, helping provide you with balance and stability. Stay for a breath or two and switch sides.

Tadasana

Mountain pose in yoga is an essential pose for evaluating your posture, and helping create good posture. Come to standing. Make sure your feet are parallel and hip-distance apart. Feel all four corners of each foot rooting to the ground. Draw energy from the floor up through your arch and through your inner thighs. Draw your inner thighs slightly back, and then gently tuck your tailbone. You should feel your inner thighs working. Extend the crown of your head toward the ceiling, draw your shoulders onto your back and bring your ears above your shoulders. Notice your breath. Close your eyes and try and imprint this basic standing posture into your body.