Better Health Through Refined Movement - Spinal Twist

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When you do an exercise are you aware of what you're actually moving? In this video Patrick demonstrates different ways of approaching a spinal twist. What is our intention in doing a twist? If we intend to bring more movement and better health to the tissues around the waist and the vertebra of the spine, then we need to be aware of what is moving. If we turn and the pelvis and ribs move together, then the spine and waist themselves are not actually moving. the movement may be happening in the hips and knees and ankles. You may get a twist in the neck but not much movement in the rest of the spine. So, in order to twist from the spine, you need to stabilize or keep in place your pelvis and then see how much the upper spine (chest) can turn independent from the pelvis. This will bring more movement into the waist/lumbar spine area and consequently better health in that area.
You can apply this analysis to all the exercises and movements you do to make sure that you are getting the work and benefit to the areas that you are intending.

[@emiki6]

You know, your spine mobility is pretty bad (just like mine and most of the people's). You can actively twist the spine (without the neck) almost 90 degrees per side. Try to relax your core muscle and try to use the the tiny muscles directly attached to vertebrae. The spine is most mobile if you keep the curves and not straighten it. It's very hard though, it takes a lot of time to even find any feeling of those muscles, a perfect spine twist is almost a legendary skill.