Published: July 2025 | 4 min read

If I told you that your tight hips might be connected to your stress levels, would you believe me?

As both a public health professional and movement teacher, I've become fascinated by how our bodies store what our minds can't process. And nowhere is this more evident than in our hips.

The Science of Stress Storage

Your psoas muscle; deep in your core, connecting your spine to your legs, is directly linked to your fight-or-flight response. When you're stressed, it contracts. When you're constantly stressed (hello, modern life), it stays contracted. This isn't just woo-woo yoga talk. It's anatomy and neuroscience.

Why This Matters

Chronic hip tension can contribute to:

Lower back pain
Digestive issues
Shallow breathing
Difficulty relaxing
That feeling of being "stuck"

Sound familiar?

Gentle Ways to Release

The good news is that you don't need to be flexible to start releasing this tension. Here are three gentle approaches:

1. Supported Child's Pose Use pillows under your torso. No stretching required—just breathing and allowing.

2. Legs Up the Wall Literally what it sounds like. Let gravity do the work while you rest.

3. Gentle Hip Circles Standing or seated, move slowly. This isn't about range of motion—it's about reintroducing movement.

Beyond the Physical

What I find most interesting is that when people start gently working with their hips, they often report feeling emotionally lighter too. It's as if releasing physical tension gives permission for other things to shift.

This doesn't mean you need to have an emotional breakthrough in yoga class (please don't feel pressured to cry!). It simply means that taking care of your body can support your overall wellbeing in unexpected ways.