WHAT happens when we stretch our BACKS? Are BACKBENDS BAD for us? FLEXIBILITY SCIENCE EXPLAINED!

Have you ever wondered what really happens to your back when stretching? Is stretching our back dangerous? Can we get injured for life? What are we really stretching in these crazy positions? Is back flexibility/stretching only for children? Can an adult ever learn backbends, bridges and chest stands?
All these and many more questions will be answered in this video.
Research read in direct association with this video:
The Extremes of Spinal Motion: A Kinematic Study of a Contortionist in an Open-Configuration Magnetic Resonance Scanner
Hahn, Frederik MD*; Kissling, Rudolf MD†; Weishaupt, Dominik MD‡; Boos, Norbert MD, MBA*
Dynamic whole-spine MRI of contortionists. W.W. Orrison, Jr T.G. Perkins
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Henderson, NV, USA.
Music used:
Effervescence - ZAYFALL
For more info and daily tips join me on INSTAGRAM:
@stretch.and.train
HUGS
Aleks

[@N.TaraQueen]

I'm a yoga instructor who aspires to deepen my backends, so I was led to this video after seeing a yoga influencer do King Pigeon pose, where she performed an extreme backend by leaning back and allowing her head to touch her foot. I was captivated by her flexibility but also triggered since I struggle with that pose, so I began to feel inadequate. I've actually been feeling this way, quite often with backbending, since "commercial" yogis who promote for top brands like Alo are committed to demonstrating these aesthetically pleasing backends to drive purchases. As much as I also want to deepen my backends, I'm okay with my current limitations because I know it comes with a risk and shouldn't be toted as a "cool" promotional activity. I think it's super important to uphold knowledge of the anatomy of our bodies to ensure we're practicing safely and not for monetary gain. Sadly, this is the current age of yoga and fitness - executing certain movements to boost following and gain popularity. Increased awareness around maintaining safe practices/alignment is more important than the aesthetics of the pose. Thanks for taking the time to inform & educate!

[@gigikartveli2744]

Bloggers like her should be very respected, she has scientific proofs, She is articulate, isnot wasting your time and gives you personal experience and useful tips.

[@aysepersona4194]

I love that you really do your research. I benefit a lot from your videos and love that they are not shallow.

[@darcy3439]

I was just wondering this so this video litrally came at a perfect time, i think back bends look really cool 😎

[@Talhasarwar1]

Yeah!! My most favorite topic backbending. Thank you so so much for making a video about video since backbend is a controversial topic, rarely people talk about it. I was not flexible at all but with consistent stretching I can backbend as far as I can see my half feet while bending backward. I totally agree with you as I have been doing it for almost a year and I got pretty much flexible back, however backbend is undoubtedly so slow process. God bless you❤️❤️

[@juliaizquierdo6922]

Great video and very informative for me as a yoga teacher! Thanks!

[@LyraSvalbard]

Thanks for the video, have been wondering about this lately because of my super inflexible back!

[@alicialloyd5537]

What a great video! I learnt so much about the spine and ligaments. So useful!

[@alexandramengel6982]

Thank you very much for this video and great explanation with pictures and photos - that helps a lot! Looking forward to the next part ! 🙂🤸‍♀️

[@Yararar]

Thank you for your hard work, very informative videos, really appreciate it!

[@giuliac8504]

Great video , thank you very much for sharing these useful information in a clear, easy way ❤

[@chinadollfmd]

I find back stretching can be dangerous. There is a difference between passive to active stretching. As a yoga instructor, I observe students that go into a back stretch as an empty pose. This could result in bulging disc or chronic back pain and injury. When we lift the chest and relax the ab muscles before engaging into the back bend, that create space in the spine for it to bend. Stretching the abs during warm up is crucial.

[@stretchandtrain]

I very much agree with this. If you do a sport a bit, for fun and moderate performance it is good for you but once you start pushing the boundaries just like any sport taken to the extreme it is more damaging than good for your body. I definitely thunk that performing a chest stand is quite an extreme for our bodies. Thanks for sharing

[@dartaberzina7384]

This video is Very cool. I am (how I can call me) 11 years old Latvian contortionist and this will help me a lot! I love your videos! I'll send my friends!

[@stretchandtrain]

thank you so much for sharing it ! All the best with contortion :)

[@hayleyalena5556]

Thank you Aleks! Looking forward to part 2 😊

[@THEVALLEYDAYTONA]

you HAAAVVEEE TO POST MORE!

[@stretchandtrain]

thank you so much! working on it :)

[@user-is5hj6in6n]

Thank you! This video is enormously helpful!)

[@stretchandtrain]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment 💗

[@Kelly-ps3ew]

Dr. Robert Morse has a website and KZbin and a book. He says you can fix nerve damage. Raw Vegan Foods especially Fruit. And Herbs.

[@AbdelrhmanElsayed]

well I've been doing contortion since 14 years old, now I'm 27 and it being more difficult and more painful to me led me to this video. I feel I should train more, and I feel I should stop.

[@idaho307]

Love this! Please do more backbending videos

[@syzygy4365]

Thank you so much!!! 😍🥰

[@Amnahbrhm]

Thank you

[@josegagliano5816]

good video, i´m looking forward to the next one

[@stretchandtrain]

thank you very much :)

[@renatafalcao5996]

Will the spine straightening give them complications later? Since it’s not the natural spine shape

[@rebeccaclark2614]

I think yes, even though I don't have scientific proof of it, my physio emphasizes the natural spine curve greatly

[@calisthaloovi3079]

Is it okay to stretch everyday or 5 days in a week?

[@Rosy_Angel14]

Yes but don’t over do it and you should learn the difference between pain and being uncomfortable and listen to your body