Squat Alignment – Page 5 – Alexander Method of SMR

Psoas Press

Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll.

This SMR exercise is to address the knots in your Iliopsoas group, primarily the psoas muscle.

If you have tightness or discomfort in your hip or lower back, then this exercise is likely to help.

Although not immediately obvious, this one SMR exercise can provide you with relief of thigh, hip, and lower/mid-back dysfunctions.

The Iliopsoas Group (and the psoas in particular) is the most influential collection of hip & spine flexors in the body and therefore they are the most influential muscles in the body.

You should do this SMR exercise at least once every 2 weeks. (more often is better) If you have psoas tension you should be doing the Supported Corpse Stretch every single day until that tension is gone. Practicing the Psoas Press first, then the Supported Corpse is an effective one-two punch for hip flexor tension and lower back pain.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Psoas Press

For our downloadable video instruction, click here

Click here to see the rest of the SMR Techniques.

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Hamstrings Press

hams-1a--gallery — 16th Extended -- Hamstrings Press

Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll, and the Adductors Roll.

This SMR exercise is to address the deeper knots in your hamstrings along the back of your thigh.

If you have tightness or discomfort of the knee, deep dull aches in the lower leg, or general hamstring issues, then this exercise is likely to help.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Hamstrings Press

For our downloadable video instruction, click here. (Updated video coming soon!)

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Adductors Roll

Practice this SMR exercise at least once each week to maintain proper hip & knee function.

It is likely you will need to stretch each day and possibly do other SMR movements for your "trouble areas."

The Adductors Roll is part of the foundation that you build on, and you should revisit it often. For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Adductors Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here

Below is a video from our archives which we completed in 2010: Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

IT Band Roll

itb-roll-1b--gallery — 5th Secondary -- IT Band Roll

Use this SMR exercise AFTER the Quads Roll, and the Adductors Roll.

This SMR exercise is to address the knots in your IT band and the outer quads (the vastus lateralis & vastus intermedius).

If you have tightness or discomfort above or below the outside of your knees or along the outside of thighs, then this exercise is likely to help.

You should do this SMR exercise at least once every 2 weeks. (more often is better)

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the IT Band Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Quads Roll

Practice the SMR exercise displayed below at least once each week to maintain proper hip, knee and back function.

It is likely you will need to stretch each day and possibly do other SMR movements for your "trouble areas."

This technique is part of the foundation that you build on, and you should revisit it often.

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Quads Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here

Below is a video from our YouTube archives:

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to the rest of the SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Foot Roll

Use this SMR exercise to address the muscles in the bottom of your foot. If you have trouble with heel pain, fallen arches, claw/hammer toes, or just about any other discomfort or dysfunction in your foot, then this exercise is for you!

There are 11 muscles in the foot with 8 muscles on the bottom separated into 4 different layers. Start with light, slow movements. Address one foot at a time if necessary.

Gradually increase the pressure, but try not to roll quickly through the muscles in the bottom of your foot if you are interested in addressing the deeper layers (you'll be wasting your time).

Let your pain threshold guide you to back off when you apply too much pressure.

The best time to do this SMR exercise is just after a hot bath or shower, when your muscles are all warmed up.

You should do this movement at least once every 2 weeks. (more often is better)

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Foot Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)

Be sure to post your questions and comments below. We want to provide the best instruction to help you recover from your workouts.

Click here to return to all of the Fundamental SMR Techniques

**All information is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your doctor before attempting any exercises you read on this page or any page on this website.**

Calves Roll

Use this SMR exercise to address the muscles in the back of your calf.

If you have trouble with shin splints, heel pain or achilles tendon pain, or just about any other discomfort in your calves, then this exercise is for you!

The soleus muscle is involved in everything you do that involves the foot.

When it locks up, all foot movements (and even some knee & hip movements) are compromised.

You should do this movement at least once every 2 weeks. (more often is better)

For written instructions, click here to download a printable PDF of the Calves Roll

For our downloadable video instruction, click here (video from 2010--updated video is in the works!)