Didn't think it was possible to have my shoulders that far away from my ears and feel so relaxed. My first workout post flu and I feel very alive again. Thanks

YAY! That's what I like to hear! So glad it worked for you Bev, proving you don't have to wait till you are ready for a hard workout to return to moving!

This was wonderful, thank you Ruth! I love your laid back style, it's refreshing and the workout was certainly restorative!

Ruth I am curious to know if you have a theory as to why the adductors are always tight. And how far of a range is optimal? (Specifically referring to the adductor stretch when hips were raised on the roller).

Hi Kathleen,
Yes, I have been curious about this also, for many many years. I've asked numerous people but the only answer I've gotten was from an acupuncturist, who said perhaps it has to do with the liver meridian that runs up the inside of the leg.

I suspect it also has something to do with how we sit in chairs from early ages.... if we grew up and continued squatting (check out Phillip Beach's work) we probably wouldn't have such tightness. Bones and soft tissue conform to the lines of force, and how we sit and stand and use our bodies creates different configurations.

As to how far of a range is optimal; my general rule of thumb is: if it "hurts so good" then it's ok, if it's a "get me out of here" feeling, it's not ok. In other words, stretching muscle is ok, stretching ligaments is not. Also important is finding the place where your femur is falling back down into your hip socket and not being pulling out.... so having your legs on a diagonal towards your shoulders is often better than having your legs reaching down away from you (hmmm... hard to put into words, but I could show you so easily!) Also, you can play with how little or much rotation in the hip socket, finding the sweet spot where it allows your nervous system to relax, accept the stretch without strain. Hope this helps! And if I ever find out the definitive answer, I'll let you know!

I love this class! It makes me feel sooooo good!

Thanks Kathy - I teach it and do it every week and it still makes me feel, like you said perfectly, "sooooo good". And the older I get, it's the only way I want to feel!

I keep coming back to this class, it's one of my favorites! More from Ruth please!