Why you shouldn't grip your core - Part 1

[@eventlesslake25]

Been stomach gripping for at least the last 15 years out of self consciousness of my belly, only today (22/6/23) i learned its possibly the reason for all my problems I've been having these past few years, constant sore mid/lower back, sore neck, shortness of breath and the worst thing of all constant urge to urinate. From today im gonna let my belly hang loose 😂 and see if i notice any changes over the coming weeks.

[@marcuschavez8411]

31M with history of attempting to appear more attractive through superficial quick fix behaviors since childhood, including; exaggerated spacing of my bottom jaw from the top to give the appearance of a more defined jawline and overall facial structure, forced retraction of shoulders for the appearance of a better posture but also hunching a bit to hide undesired protrusion of fatty chest and what I considered large and noticeable nipples, and definitely chronically sucking in my stomach, which in turn meant contracting my pelvic floor and of course everything mentioned in this video. I also tend to overeat and have had a fluctuating diet in terms of quality throughout the years that has caused bloating and additional fat which exacerbates and prompts further sucking in. I've been somewhat active and exercised for most of my life, but due to a back injury from improper exercise, I'm really looking at and learning a lot of things. I believe continuing and adding to the exercises I've been doing lately and learning more about the body and especially maintaining a diet that won't bloat or overload me will be key to actually feeling good, relaxed and confident for once. Thanks for the share, I'm sure a fair amount of people have gone through similar experiences.

[@bolopho]

​@@marcuschavez8411I had similar history. Look into postural restoration institute. It has helped me a lot.

[@user-jk2he7nl2o]

I was gripping my core constantly without even thinking about it for 9 years now, and i have posterior pelvic tilt so you can imagine how all of that works out for me. Im currently on the journey to fix all of this, but before all, to become more aware of my gripping and breathing so i can focuas on fixing it.

[@jchowdaryjchowdary4125]

I have also same problem I am gripping stomach for last 15 year for social phonia now iam realized but i have anterio pelvic tilt and i have severe shortness breath and chest will not expanding when brearhing i am not going meet friend s alsonow you have also breathing problme

[@angeles1994]

Same been gripping since i was 16 now im 28, realized it 1 week ago. I feel so different in 1 week i cant wait to see the changes in a month or year.

[@callmesupreme1533]

Been doing this for years had me thinking I had heart issues went to the hospital for shortness of breath maybe this is the cause

[@avivyefet9572]

Me too. Been 15 years. Anybody else in ny? We should create a support group with doctor recs

[@gurpindersinghsidhu1816]

@@avivyefet9572yes we should make a group. Leave your email or phone number if you’re up. Thanks

[@VasundharaVee]

i just bought your book a few minutes ago. I am a singer looking to understand more about the moving body. Watching this video gives me a sense of great relief as i always suspected innately, that there was something weird about holding our core tight .... and this is so aggressively asserted wherever we go.... thank you for your work and for sharing it in this manner. The best to you Mr. Franklin.

[@MekonenMeteor123]

Yeah the whole “keep your core tight through the day” thing was way off lol

[@bookprincess612]

Thank you SO MUCH for this excellent explanation - that makes me understand what my problems have been over the last year !!!

[@janinemaddox1356]

God bless you . you are a great teacher. Thanks a million.

[@jchowdaryjchowdary4125]

have also same problem I am gripping stomach for last 15 year for social phonia now iam realized but i have anterio pelvic tilt and i have severe shortness breath and chest will not expanding when brearhing i am not going meet friend s alsonow you have also breathing problme

[@iBug]

Nice presentation & visualization, and very easy to follow and understand. Thanks Eric :-)

[@leahvincent9426]

Wonderful, thank you. I train in a South Indian martial art called Kalari ppayattu, where we learn from day one to breathe with and move from the belly/lower ab - expanding the belly on the inhale. Other dancers have thought I was crazy for breathing with my belly, until I'm the only one not panting after a piece. I love your work, your books have occupied my shelves for years, now I'm excited to see you have videos and I hope to go deeper in the near future.

[@darianprotho6622]

Thank you doctor for sharing this. I have read about this abdomen breathing before. But doing this in inversion such as handstand will create banana back and feels weak. It is so hard to balance in this way. I always wondering is there a way to engage core and still applying abdomen breath. Many people say we have to suck belly in really hard but recently I found out about transverse abdominal activation by slightly draw in belly button, in this case it shouldnt press much any organ or blood vessel behind it. What bother me is if there is no change in abdomen area it means that the only way to change the lungs volume could only rely on lifting ribcage. Some suggest lifting it outward not upward. Could you please give explanation about this?

[@giovannifiorrosso6053]

Since i started bulking i developed this stomach gripping and its causing me problems

[@pcpc1617]

Please help me. I have been subconsciously doing this for idk how long…where do I start 😫 I have sever shortness of breath and back pain

[@tlough1]

I wonder how fast symptoms can show. Been doing it for a couple days and my belly muscles are cramping.

[@aqualandfitness]

great as always. and doesn't a constant gripping of your abdominals makes them weaker over time not stronger?

[@maymartin5242]

question- for Pilates how the birthing should be? natural; not cue bathing in and up

[@harumiayame8586]

Doctor, what about the 'vacuum' exercise, used by many fitness enthusiasts to train the side abs? And in the same vein, what is your view on corsets, since they restrict the movement of the stomach even in simple movements like breathing in and out?

[@dojanglesclimb]

I'm also interested in his opinion on this practice. Many yogi do this as well.

[@voiceofreason1829]

Dude vacums are like 3min long exercise, relax abdominals later

[@soniaugobuono2504]

Thank you again for the clear explanation and amazing knowledge, I have a question about yogic breathing,, in the inhalation from the belly all the way to the lungs it's a nice slow flow and when the breath reaches the lower ribs then the lungs, the belly automatically comes in towards the spine so would that also be a problem for the Aorta? Thank you?

[@devadutayoga]

I don't understand this explanation. Drawing the nable in doesn't mean to prevent an in and out movement of the belly while exercising. It simply helps to lengthen the lower back reducing the lordosis.

[@micaelat3734]

I see what you mean. If it only tilts then you only use the psoas to retroverse the pelvis. Franklin refers to also contracting the transverse, obliques and rectus abs. Actually, you clarified something: that pulling in the navel means to tilt the pelvis back.

[@britishgoose9549]

I am aware this was years ago and you won't reply, but do you have suggestions to help hourglass syndrome? I've being doing the sucking in thing for just under a year and I'm starting to see early signs of the syndrome. Any suggestions?

[@SparklingDiva1111]

I can't believe how difficult it is to do that!!

[@alucheh3795]

My abs have been feeling like they flex on their own I think it's from my job that I have to stand for 10 hours a day... What do you guys think

[@flyaway6671]

I can get pressure or pain in the jaw, side of face and light headedness when doing stomach vacuums, it does put pressure on the aorta for me.

[@mr.mister5905]

En schwizer, us wetzikon. So nöch. Gits jo ned😄. Findi geil

[@Aya_kriya]

Tell it to yogis

[@katherinejaconello7334]

Funny.

[@TheJuanaiguana]

but why with all these wonderful insights and exercises the girl has this forward head posture ?

[@pillsie]

Interesting. In every workout I've done the instructor stresses to hold the abs tight. Looks like she isn't wearing a bra.