Spinal Alignment Important to Overall Health and Fitness

Added by Matthew Kropp on October 30, 2012.

The Spinal Twist is an important exercise. (BallyScanlon)

“90% of the simulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine,” says Dr. Roger Sperry, Nobel Prize recipient for brain research.

A mid-alignment produces tension, pain, rigidity, anxiety, depression, tiredness, cloudy mind along with a slew of other things you curse your worst enemy with.

It’s the difference between standing up straight and tall to present yourself or being that weirdo who creeps around the party following a flock of females, just standing on the outskirts of their conversation, looking in sipping his light beer with nervousness and premature rejection.

Good alignment gives you a healthy body function, “freedom” in every part of your body, good posture, younger looking and feeling, flexibility, boost moods and stronger immune system. A lot of that is a case by case theory, but you get the gist.

Some key exercises include:

1. The Spine Extention

Lay on your stomach. Legs hip width apart. Arms at your side. Forehead on the floor. Inhale and press hip bones to the floor. Exhale and lift your upper body away from the floor. As you lift, pull your shoulder blades down and slide fingertips towards feet.

2. The Spine Roll

Lie on your back. Knees bent. Feet on the floor, hip width apart. Arms by your side. Tuck your chin slightly. Inhale. Exhale, draw abs inward, lightly press lower back to the floor. Start peeling your tailbone one vertebra off the floor at a time.

3. The Spine Twist

Feet planted. Twist your torso to the right first, imagining wringing out a washcloth. Then follow the same instructions to the left. Slower the better. Inhale to stretch further. Big exhale to nourish disc in the spine of old fluid to replenish with the new.