Reteach yourself how to bend and squat right!

Video Transcript
Hello everyone, Dr. Alibhai here. Many of us know we shouldn’t bend from our backs or stoop to pick things up, and we should bend from our hips instead. However, often our hips are so tight that we don’t even realize how we’re supposed to bend properly. Here’s a simple and effective exercise to improve your hip mobility and reteach yourself the correct way to bend.
Practice squatting. Many of us, including myself, find it difficult to maintain a deep squat and keep our backs straight. You can see how my back starts to round when I try to pick something up, which puts us in a vulnerable position. So, it’s important to practice getting into a safe squat position.
If you need support, I have a yoga block here, but you can use pillows or whatever is comfortable for you. You might need to stack them higher initially. Sit back onto them like I am doing. Maybe you can try eating a meal in this position, sitting up against the wall with your back completely straight.
This teaches your hips how to get into this pitched position, where my shins are at a 90-degree angle, and I’m nice and upright. You can watch TV or even eat in this position. Just hang out here and do some deep breathing. As you improve, you can remove the support and attempt a deeper squat.
Although it’s uncomfortable at first, I’m able to get there. For now, I’ll keep using this yoga block. Eventually, you can practice without the wall and yoga block, getting into a deep squat and exploring where you feel tightness.
So, let’s get started. Practice at home. I know you’ll see great benefits. Spend more time on the floor to regain hip mobility. Take care.