Hip Health & Yoga for Piriformis Syndrome

Apart from its northern cousin, the shoulder, the hip has the greatest range of motion of any joint. In spite of its simplicity, it is the source of more complaints than any joint except its southern relative, the knee.

The most common source of pain and changes in gait is arthritis. After age 25 we all have some of it. Like many chronic conditions, it worsens with time, but yoga can slow down its advance and reverse it to some extent by virtue of increasing the hip’s range of motion. Arthritis may be worsened by dyscoordination: unsynchronized muscles putting greatly more pressure on joints than is really necessary. Yoga enables you to selectively strengthen and jointly coordinate the many muscles governing the hips’ activity and also providing it the stability we bipeds need, while promoting healing of structural issues within the joint itself. Other problems also beset the hip: labral tears, bursitis, fracture, and FAI, which has a special predilection for yogis.

Additionally, the piriformis muscle may entrap the sciatic nerve in the buttock, imitating spinal conditions. More than a decade ago Dr. Fishman invented a definitive test for piriformis syndrome, and has seen more than 17,000 (yes thousand) patients who think they have it – when about half of them do.

In this online workshop, we’ll review how to recognize each condition and teach clients the poses that will ameliorate their condition alongside medical care. Perfect for movement professionals, yoga therapists, health care providers, and for those seeking to care for their hips with a supportive yoga practice.