Best Pilates Classes in Spruce Grove, AB

Tuesday Teaching TipnnThe Spine Twist is the purest spinal rotation exercise in the classical repertoire. When the spine is a straight or neutral alignment, the spacing between the vertebrae is in the best orientation for maximum rotation. Spinal rotation is a complex coordination of muscular action, from the main drivers of rotation, the internal and external oblique abdominal muscles, to the rotatores muscles which link from one vertebra to the next below deep along the posterior surface of the vertebrae.nnSo, to optimize your spinal rotation, firstly sit up straight. If this means rolling up your mat or sitting on a yoga block to counter a slouched spine because of tight hamstrings, go for it. nnThe second point is to ensure the main rotators are indeed driving the spinal rotation. If you are turning to the right, you should be feeling for the left external obliques and right internal obliques pulling the left corner of the ribs towards the right hip. Often I see clients inadvertently throwing their arms around for momentum. To correct this, when turning to the right, touch your right hand fingers to your sternum. This will negate any possibility of throwing the arm around in the turn. The trailing arm is held out directly to the side. Take the arms out of the equation and you will better access your primary rotators of the spine.nnFrom walking, opening the door, to swinging a golf club, even down to the hydration of the vertebral disks, rotation is a critically important movement for our daily functioning. The Spine Twist is a brilliantly simple classical Pilates exercise that helps facilitate this spinal motion.