Outward Rotation of the Hips

I have been experimenting with the outward rotation of the hips and how that drastically changes the relationship between the legs and the pelvis. When the hips are "straight" with the feet pointing forward, a forward fold largely lengthens the hamstrings and a backward bend lengthens the quadriceps. But when we rotate the hips outward like we do in Pigeon or Lotus, the relationship changes. 

Pigeon

Think about Pigeon. A forward fold targets a more complex set of mobilizing and stabilizing muscles on the sides of the hip and lower back. It is not so simple and clear cut as a stretch of the hamstrings.

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And Spider. Straightening the hips targets a very tight and sensitive group of muscles in the groin. This is similar to what we target in Half Lotus Tree, Short Man and Mountain Poses.

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