Release & Lengthen Your IT Band

In tonight's practice, we are going to work on lengthening our Iliotibial (IT) Band. Runners will often experience a tight IT Band but us Desk Warriors feel it too as it gets shortened from excessive sitting. If you've ever had a sharp pain in the upper side of your hip and/or the side of your knee, it's likely from a tight IT Band.

The good news is the IT Band responds well to Yin Yoga as it is a Yin tissue (it is a tendon, not a muscle). Physically, our focus will be on the lower part of our body, mainly the glutes, hips, thighs and hamstrings as the IT Band runs from the hip to the knee and we'll want to address all the tissues around it as well.

You will need:

• A mat or other soft surface
• A rolling pin (like what you use for baking - if you don't have one you can use your hands)
• A strap (scarf or belt if you don't have one)
• Optional pillow or two
• Optional blanket