Can anybody recommend a way to loosen hamstrings that are so tight they cannot even be loosened by yoga?

Answer 1

Try Aikido. Alot of the warm up exercises involve really intensive stretching on hamstrings. It really helped me.
...and massage.

Answer 2

Your hamstrings will respond to yoga (if you're human); a common problem is that a lot of yoga is not taught in a relaxing enough way. It's often done in the style of western keep-fit, which is striving and focussed. That atmosphere is good for stimulating muscle tension, and can cause your muscles to react AGAINST the stretch, instead of 'releasing' to allow it. Hamstrings are very strong muscles, and can fight really hard.

The stretches that will help are long, AND VERY GENTLE. Your mind should be on other things, NOT ON INCREASING THE STRETCH.

The easiest stretch to do in this way is just sitting, with your legs straight in front of you. Make sure you have a restful view. If you cannot sit upright with your legs straight, lean against a tree, with a cushion behind you. Push your heels away from you, and try to keep your torso as tall as you can. Make sure your breathing is free and slow. Do not provoke any pain or discomfort.

After a while, try to rotate your torso forward, FROM THE HIPS NOT THE WAIST (keep your back straight; move or fold the cushion if necessary). If you're doing it right, you'll feel as if you're ABOUT to start feeling a stretch.

Hold the position, and think about something restful. You should aim for a daydream-like state of mind. You may forget to hold the position; that's normal and not a problem. Don't feel you have failed, just find the position again and daydream some more.

If you have kept the position for a while, (and daydreamed) you will be able to rotate forward a little more, without quite feeling the stretch; your hamstrings have relaxed a bit. If you can't, then you haven't quite got your head to the place where it needs to be. Stop, without feeling you have failed, and try again next time.

(Holding the position will probably make you ache; as you practice more, this will wear off, and you will start to ache only when you have managed some forward movement.)

This mental detachment is what you are supposed to achieve in a session of yoga, and it contributes to a proper 'release'; modern classes are usually too time-constrained to allow it to develop. Any hamstring stretch (done VERY gently) will help you if you can perform it in this unhurried frame of mind.

You could spend some time looking for a traditional teacher of yoga, who will educate your mind to allow more flexibility in your body, rather than trying to affect your posture directly.

Answer 3

I would strongly advise a visit to a physiotherapist, because there may be a reason why your hamstrings have tightened up. It may be a problem with your pelvis or lower back so go and get checked out. Also, Yoga, if not done properly can cause injury, as can any stretch done incorrectly. I strongly recommend a book called "The stark Reality of Stretching" by a man called Dr Steven D Stark. It has helped me tremendously with my running injuries.

Answer 4

A hot stone massage has helped me in the past. If you have never had one, basalt stones are heated and the massage therapist uses them in combination with a warm oil to massage you. The heat really helps loosen tight muscles.

Answer 5

A hot bath to warm your mussels, a good rub with some relaxing massage cream and when they are all nice and warm, some slow stretching, another good slow rub and of to bed. And don't forget the IBUPROFEN!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Try Massaging in Arnica cream, you can buy it in many chemists, and it works on a lot of muscle strains, use it after a hot bath, along with Ibubrofen caplets, should help you out a bit. gentle stretching helps too.

Answer 7

a stanley knife slash behind the knee has a beneficial effect in all but most cases.
also stop putting yoga on your self otherwise you will start to smell of cheese.

Answer 8

operation