I’ve been working on it, mostly by sitting on the floor. Cross-legged. It’s another crazy old man mobility hack I read about somewhere or heard on a podcast or something.
Apparently, kids do it all the time, but after kindy we get out of the habit. By the time you’re out of school you there’s a fair chance you’ll never sit cross-legged on the floor again. Not even for cones. (Kind of difficult to lean over the bucket, from memory).
Anyway, I remember now that I heard these two physios on a podcast talking about simple ways of increasing your flexibility as you get on a bit, and ten to fifteen minutes of sitting on the floor with your legs crossed was at the top of their list.
Opens up the hips or relaxes the groin or something.
So I tried it.
JFC!
I took some painkillers, had a lie-down and tried it again.
Not quite as bad, but it still sucked.
That was a week ago. I stuck with it and am now quite comfy sitting like a fucking toddler while I drink my coffee in the morning. I also added ten kilos and a couple of inches depth to my squat and this is the only change I’ve made. So maybe it worked.
If you’re gonna try it, one tip, don’t do it on a hard floor.
I used to spend a lot of time sitting cross legged on the floor when my kids were small - I'd inevitably end up with one in my lap. Not so much now - they are all bigger than me. By some measure. I just tested it - can still sit that way, getting up isn't as sprightly though (actually had to put a hand down!)
I'll give it a go to see how it stacks up for another sample set. I went to a gig on friday night (Helmet, from 90s fame, delayed by 3 years because of the spicy cough). And despite the fact that we said we were too old i decided to make my way to the front and sort of slipped into the mosh. Boy were my calves sore on Sunday! But it was amazing getting that feeling of the body blasted by sound again. Been way too long
Makes sense, might give it a try. Groin was the reason I gave up footy.
Cold night's training, first time I kick the ball and land on one foot my groin would just go ping (which isn't as much fun as it sounds like it might be).
Sounds a bit like some folk who wax on about sitting in seiza helps focus. Beloved of westerners who idolize Japanese like culture. I prefer the Chinese response 'yeah we invented chairs'.
Then there's the TV/internet health advisers who wax lyrical about sitting in "Chinese squats". Different sets of muscles and tendons each.
IMO sitting on the floor amounts to an invitation to have your face licked by the four-legged beasties, so: no thanks. Well, perhaps if they're not looking. Same problem with downward-dog position (and yoga in general).
Might be good for you. To quote Chris Rock - You can drive with your feet ....doesn’t make it a good f’n idea .
I used to spend a lot of time sitting cross legged on the floor when my kids were small - I'd inevitably end up with one in my lap. Not so much now - they are all bigger than me. By some measure. I just tested it - can still sit that way, getting up isn't as sprightly though (actually had to put a hand down!)
I've never believed those people who claim they can stand up without putting a hand or a knee on the ground as leverage.
Oh I’ve been able to do it…didn’t feel up to it today though. Didn’t want to head butt the dining table.
I'll give it a go to see how it stacks up for another sample set. I went to a gig on friday night (Helmet, from 90s fame, delayed by 3 years because of the spicy cough). And despite the fact that we said we were too old i decided to make my way to the front and sort of slipped into the mosh. Boy were my calves sore on Sunday! But it was amazing getting that feeling of the body blasted by sound again. Been way too long
Makes sense, might give it a try. Groin was the reason I gave up footy.
Cold night's training, first time I kick the ball and land on one foot my groin would just go ping (which isn't as much fun as it sounds like it might be).
Thank you, but no.
Sounds a bit like some folk who wax on about sitting in seiza helps focus. Beloved of westerners who idolize Japanese like culture. I prefer the Chinese response 'yeah we invented chairs'.
Then there's the TV/internet health advisers who wax lyrical about sitting in "Chinese squats". Different sets of muscles and tendons each.
IMO sitting on the floor amounts to an invitation to have your face licked by the four-legged beasties, so: no thanks. Well, perhaps if they're not looking. Same problem with downward-dog position (and yoga in general).