Oil and Lube

Why do this?

This stretch massages and "oils" the hip joints. The more resilient and open these joints become, the more your hips can rotate and move in all directions around your body's core. Broader, more elastic rotation in the hip joints allows more fluid, elastic riding.

What it does for me:

I, like most people, have tight hip joints. Now that I regularly "oil and lube" my hip joints, these joints are looser and actually have some spring. Not only can my hips rotate more freely around my spine while I ride, they can also absorb some, if not most, of the shock felt in my spine from my horse's movement.

Lie flat on back with legs straight and arms as if hanging at your sides.

Breathe in through your breastbone and out through the bottom of your shoulders.

Encourage a neutral, not arched, back.

Lock your pelvis by pulling your belly button towards your spine.

Bend one knee and place that ankle on top of the opposite straight knee.

Allow the bent knee to move out to the side as if knee is to drop to the floor.

Move in and out of position until the leg/side releases and rests out to the side comfortably.

Do not force this stretch.

Go for symmetrical rangeof motion.