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It absorbs the weight of the world while helping you move in a coordinated way.
Their main role is to protect our vital spinal cord, which is part of our nervous system.
But its other role is to help absorb and disperse the load of our everyday life.
physical therapist, certified yoga teacher, and co-founder ofThrees Physioyoga
Thats a pretty big responsibility for a body part!
So what exactly makes a spine able to perform this function as energy absorber and movement coordinator?
Anatomy of a healthy spine
A healthy spine has three components.
That curved shape is what helps it act as sort of a spring, according to Zotos-Florio.
Next up: full range of motion (ormobility).
Each vertebra should be able to move.
Finally, your spine should have some room to breathe!
A healthy spine is one that has some space in it, says Zotos-Florio.
Thats why Zotos-Florio herself pays attention to her spine.
physical therapist, certified yoga teacher, and co-founder ofThrees Physioyoga
Overall, Zotos-Florio advises setting aside 10 minutes per day to keep that spine healthy.
7 spinal mobility exercises to promote a healthy spine
1.
This is sort of like a home base, Zotos-Florio says of this posture.
You dont have to live here, but its a great place to practice.
Next, imagine there is a helium balloon sitting on top of your head.
The string goes through your skull down to your neck and spine.
Without puffing those ribs forward, allow the helium balloon to lift you up.
Feel how you could get two inches taller, Zotos-Florio says.
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Now reimagine the helium balloon pulling you upwards (without your ribs flaring forward).
Hold for three to five rounds of breathe, then repeat on the other side.
Alternate between tucking your tailbone under and sticking your butt out, without squeezing your glutes.
Continue for three to five rounds of breathe.
Continue for three to five rounds of breathe.
Stand straight in that home base.
Let your head be the last thing to lift.
Its like someones walking their fingers down your spine, Zotos-Florio says.
As they touch each bone, you want to round that bone down.
Then extend your right arm straight in front of you against the wall.
Your upper body will basically be in a T shape.
Dont initiate it with your arm opening, initiate it with the left ribcage rotating back, advises Zotos-Florio.
Hold for three to five breathes, then repeat on the other side.
Protect your neck
The neck is the highest part of the spine, so dont forget it.
This exercise stretches it and the shoulders because those muscles are so intertwined.
Slowly look left and right, up and down, then roll your shoulders backwards and forwards.
Repeat three to five more times.
And if you want to improve on your spinal mobility even more, try Pilates.
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