I have been going to my massage therapist once a month (OK, sometimes twice a month) since I was pregnant with Declan. That makes it like 6 years now. And my main complaint has always been my derriere. Specifically the *side* of my rear end, nearly around to my hips, deep inside my glut muscles. My massage therapist routinely must take a crowbar and shove it inside that region to get them to chill out. I am sure it’s all related to my poor posture at work, but since I am a graphic designer and spend time split between mouse and keyboard, I cannot stand those mobile keyboard trays – and when it comes right down to it, I like sitting with my legs crossed all day long. But my butt pays dearly for it.

So, imagine this scene. About a month ago, I am sitting in the large, glass-front conference room with my Grants Manager and Research Director and we are on a conference call with colleagues in another state. We are discussing a new project, but it is mainly their project and we are mainly tuning them out. (We are nothing if not professional). We keep hitting the mute button on the phone to discuss other things, like our weekend, the weather… and finally my back is killing me so much I land on the floor to do some stretches.

Come to find out, our Grants Manager is a bit of a yoga aficionado and once she realizes the source of my pain, recommends several stretches and gets down on the floor with me to demonstrate. Never to be left out, the Research Director joins us on the floor and we have an impromptu yoga class right then and there. In the large glass-front conference room. We caused quite a stir.

Here is where the pigeon thing comes in.

[photopress:pigeon_SUPPORTED_737176.jpg,full,pp_image]She showed me Pigeon Pose, which has subsequently stretched out my gluts in ways I never thought possible before. AND, allows me to post these awesome photos of Mr. Cool Yoga.

But seriously. If you have ever had a pain in the ass (other than your husband, boss or mother-in-law), check this stretch out.

I now regularly do it on my office floor in the middle of the day to get the blood flowing. I only get minor double-takes from coworkers these days.

But I am still going to see my massage therapist. Some habits are hard to give up, right?

Updated to add: I *never* meant to imply that my husband has ever been a pain in the ass. And just because he is standing over my shoulder right now making me type this in no way makes him a pain in the ass this very second, either.

Are there any yoga aficionados out there? How has yoga helped you?