When many of us in the western world think of yoga, we think of contorting our bodies into odd, seemingly impossible shapes. In reality, yoga has nothing to do with fancy poses or impressive flexibility. Yoga means to yoke or unite. At its core, the goal of yoga is to unite the breath with movement, which consists of moving the spine in six directions.
The six directions are:
- Flexion and Extension – rounding and extending the spine
- Right and Left Rotation – twisting the spine
- Right and Left Lateral Flexion – side bending
These ranges of movement will help prevent stiffness, improve flexibility, and promote longevity of the spine.
What Exactly Is A Healthy Spine?
The spine is designed to provide both stability and mobility through the core of your body, your torso, and your limbs. As you age, a healthy spine is essential to maintaining a vibrant lifestyle. By keeping the spine strong and flexible, it will increase your range of motion, promote better posture, a stronger core, and improve balance.
A healthy spine allows the nervous system to function effectively, ensuring that all systems of the body are communicating properly. A strong and flexible spine also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which means that the body is in a state of rest. This state increases the body’s ability to endure and navigate stress more efficiently – physically, mentally, and emotionally.
What Yoga Poses Work Best for Spinal Health?
Yoga doesn’t have to be intimidating, it can be easy. Moving through a full set of spinal exercises can take less than 5 minutes. And they can all be done standing or even sitting at your desk.
It doesn’t matter what you look like or how flexible you are. Think Function over Form. Follow the guidance of your body and do what feels best.
Flexion and Extension
Flexion and ExtensionCat and Cow pose
Rotation
RotationTwist to the right, then left
Lateral Flexion
Lateral FlexionSide bend to the right then left
How Does Yoga Help Your Spine?
Moving your spine in six directions every day will not only increase spinal mobility and strength but improve the overall health of your spine. A healthy spine allows the nervous system to operate optimally and communicate effectively will all systems of the body.
How Does Chiropractic Care Help Your Spine and Your Yoga Practice?
At our Littleton, CO chiropractic clinic we specialize in a gentle, specific chiropractic technique call Koren Specific Technique (KST). Specific adjustments help with motion in the spine as well. Your spine has 2 major functions. First is to protect the spinal cord. Second is to keep you upright, also known as your posture. Stresses cause shifts in segments of your spine or even curvatures of your spine. These shifts are what we call subluxations.
Subluxations not only cause lack of motion, they can also affect the brain-body connection. Our goal is to find these interferences and correct them gently. Once your spine is moving properly it can help out your yoga practice.
The saying, “Motion is Life” could not be a truer statement. Keep your motion and enhance your life.
If you would like to find out if you have subluxations (interference) please schedule a consultation at our clinic today. We use state-of-the-art nerve system scans to find out exactly where your issues are at. Let us help you thrive!
