Your Body’s Foundation - The Power of Your 'Butt Muscles' (aka the Glutes!)
- Sophie Le Reste
- May 7
- 2 min read
When you hear anyone talk about “butt muscles,” they’re referring to the glutes: a group of three powerful muscles (gluteus maximus, medius, and minimus) that form the shape and strength of your lovely bottom! Far from being just about aesthetics, our glutes are essential for nearly every movement we make. They help us sit, stand, walk, climb stairs, run, and jump, supporting our body weight and stabilising our entire lower body.
Why Strong Glutes Matter
The glutes are the largest muscle group in the body and play a key role in keeping your trunk upright, stabilising the pelvis, and generating power for movement. Weak or tight glutes can lead to poor posture, lower back pain, hip discomfort, and even injuries due to muscle imbalance or overuse.
Strengthening our glutes improves our posture, reduces injury risk, and enhances athletic performance and daily movement.
Glutes and the Root Chakra
In yoga philosophy, the glutes are closely linked to the root chakra (Muladhara), located at the base of the spine. The root chakra is considered the foundation of physical and energetic stability: it grounds us, supports our sense of safety, and gives us the confidence to move through life. When our glutes and root chakra are balanced and strong, we feel more grounded, secure, and resilient.
How Yoga and Mindful Movement Support the Glutes
Yoga is a very effective way to both strengthen and release the glutes. Mindful movement through yoga poses not only tones these muscles but also helps to release tension, improve flexibility, and restore balance.
Key yoga poses for the glutes include:
Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)
Chair Pose (Utkatasana)
Warrior Poses (Virabhadrasana I & III)
Locust Pose (Salabhasana)
Squats and lunges in yoga flows
These movements activate the glutes, encourage mindful engagement, and support the energetic qualities of the root chakra; helping us feel more stable, confident, and connected to the earth.
Bringing It All Together
By focusing on our glutes in yoga and daily movement, we’re not just sculpting our body, we’re nurturing our foundation, supporting our root chakra, and cultivating a sense of strength and stability from the ground up.
Next time you step onto your mat, remember: your “butt muscles” are the powerhouse behind your posture, movement, and energetic grounding.
Curious about specific yoga sequences or more ways to activate your glutes? Join us!
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