Body Imbalance (One Side Tighter Than Other)

We want to assure you that you're not alone in this issue. Everyone's bodies are a little unbalanced, to varying degrees, between one side and the other (although most people don\'t realize it). These imbalances can often be traced either to the extremities or the core. In addition to muscles and joints, the fascia, the connective tissue which (holds us together), is often involved.

So, in addition to the sinews and muscles, it sounds as if the fascia surrounding your hip joints may have tightened as a result of the years of horseback riding (we were actually advised not to ride horses or cheerlead in my dance school for this reason!). When the fascia contracts, it often gives the feeling that the muscles are, "in the wrong place." One of the many reasons that Kundalini Yoga is so effective is that it really gets into the fascia!

It's possible that the tightness in your hips may have caused the abdominals attached to your spine (your psoas) to lose tone. Normally the psoas muscle hugs the spine to give it support. It very often happens that through gripping in the hips, the psoas stops working because the hips have taken over the workload. It sounds like this may have happened on your right side only.

It's a catch-22 situation: the psoas muscle can get slack because the hips are gripping to the extent that they take over the work of the psoas, or the hips have to work overtime because the deep abdominals aren\'t engaging.

We feel that it will be very helpful for your to get the deep psoas muscles working properly so the hips can feel safe and let go.

A very important first step in correcting the imbalance you describe is in allowing your solar plexus to release. This will allow you to feel a natural contraction of the deep lower abdominals as they hug the spine. When you are practicing Navel exercises, concentrate on releasing the upper abdominal area so you can feel the lower abdominals take over. This will help you build strength quickly. for Navel work we recommend, of course, the exercises found on Navel Power as well as the many abdominal exercises on our 3 new DVDs.

Another thing you may want to do is to raise yourself up for now, on a pillow or yoga block, when sitting cross-legged. This will give your hips and lower spine some extra support. Also, when sitting cross-legged, alternate legs in front.