I can't think of a better topic for our inaugural post. The Gluteus Maximus, the largest of our butt muscles is defined as an extensor of the leg and an external rotator when the leg is in extension. It is largely responsible for our shift from quadruped to biped and is the main muscle that helps us stand upright after bending.
Without going too much into the minutiae of the glutes, I will simply state that we grip it endlessly. Technically, when standing, the big gluteus maximus should be inactive. When we begin to move it begins to work.
If you are looking for an experiential assignment just check in with your butt over the next few days, especially when standing and exercising. Most people are standing with their thighs leaning forward in space- one of my main postural no-no's. The act of living forward in the thighs means your butt muscles have to work, and work overtime.
It doesn't take much to release your butt, but the first step is noticing if you grip it or not. Spend some time tuning into your posture and find out for yourself. One easy way to experience butt gripping is to consciously do it. Feel what this is like and then release it. Start becoming aware of both feelings and then feel which seems more appropriate.
