Hips don’t Lie!
Anyone who has ever watched the famous Shakira dance while she sings, can attest to the phrase “Hips don’t lie”. Shakira’s ability to both isolate and manipulate her hips in relationship to her shoulders through the core is amazing, and so fun to watch.
On the other hand, anyone who has ever experienced chronic lower back and hip pain can attest to the fact, that “Hips don’t lie” as well. It was close to ten years ago, that I was experiencing chronic hip pain. I will say that my hips didn’t lie, they simply hurt, all the time!
Flash forward ten years….it has been years since I have experienced hip pain. Hip surgery? Miracle? Well, actually it was a slow, steady process back to health that started with taking a 200 hour Yoga instructor’s program; working with an incredible CST(Cranial Sacral Therapist) practitioner; and stopping any exercises that included impact on the hip.
There was no magic pill back to health, rather a new paradigm in my thought process and actions. When I moved from training Shotokan Karate to Hatha Yoga, I realized that I related power and strength to the brute force and speed created by my arms, legs, and glutes.
This brings me back to Shakira. Watching Shakira perform, it becomes very apparent that the body has the ability to be fluid and stable at the same time. I knew that I wanted to have that ability, to move with ease, joy, fluidity, and stability. My next realization was that all physical art forms originate from the same place…the human body.
The body became my laboratory, Hatha yoga, my class, and self-study, my mantra. It is from this laboratory that I developed Yoga-Bells™ my own trademarked class. The Yoga-Bells™ class develops the fluid strength that I see in Shakira and so much more.
In Yoga-Bells™ I strive to teach classes that unlock old and unhealthy muscle patterns, introduce healthy and efficient muscle patterns, and strengthen the body.
Click here to watch a short series that I sometimes incorporate in my Yoga-Bells™ class, to “unwind” the hips, activate the core and strengthen the muscles along the spine. As you perform this series tune into what you feel in the lower back and hips, check for right side and left side differences in resistance and mobility, and remember, “Your Hips don’t Lie”
Laura Ocampo is co-owner of Power & Finesse Fitness. Her credentials include a 4th Dan in Shotokan Karate, Yoga Instructor 200hr & 500hr, and creator of Yoga-Bells™. But it is Laura’s journey from competitive athlete and on-the-go mom to becoming homebound with chronic injuries, a debilitating auto immune disease, and a successful battle with breast cancer that Laura has learned the most from! She is now working one-on-one with clients in what she calls: Intuitive Structural Integrative Work, teaching Yoga and Yoga-Bells™You can find her at http://www.powerandfinessefitness.com and contact her at powerfinessefitness@gmail.com to find out more and schedule an appointment.
