Hello I would appreciate some advice or ideas. I am a new instructor and I have a lady in my class who finds it painful to do any hip circling exercise, such as one leg circle, due to a birth defect. This is a mixed class so I don't want to just leave out these exercises, but I'm struggling to think of an alternative exercise that she could do instead. I can't think of anything that does the same as hip circling exercises apart from...hip circling. Any advice gratefully received.

Hi there. Is it all single leg circles or large ones that are open chain (e.g. no props). A super gentle alternative would be to have one knee bent with the foot flat on the ground and the other leg in table top (or heel slack to butt cheek if the hip flexor is overactive) where the lifted leg does small circles/knee stirs like you're trying to settle the femur in the hip socket. Also, adding a band behind the thigh for the modified bent knee circle or around the foot with one hand on each side of the band for the larger circle can close the chain and make the exercise more comfortable. If all circles are a no go, I'd just have them lower and lift the leg in a comfortable range of motion (again the band can help with this) just so the movement concept is the same and they feel like they're doing something similar to the rest of the class. Hope this helps!

Thank you for your ideas Nikki. Yes it does seem to be all circling movements. I think that it will have to be something like lifting and lowering the leg as you suggest. Have tried with a band around the foot/leg and bent knee and it is still painful for her.

Gotcha. Yeah, that's the challenge of group classes. I have a few of those people too. I kinda just let them do their thing or sit back and watch for a moment when those exercises come up ;)