At first glance, this exercise looks a lot like a spinal twist, but looks can be deceiving!
Your ribs move along with your pelvis in this stretch and, because of that, it's not so much a spinal twist as it is a full body roll that includes an awesome pec and arm stretch.
This one is great for discovering hidden pockets of tightness in your chest, arms, sides of your body, and hips. It also feels amazing to finally bring attention to these blind spots of tightness that usually go un-stretched.
Pay careful attention to the alignment of your ribs while you’re doing this stretch. If you find that you're thrusting them forward (almost all of us tend to this and I'll explain why in a later video), use an exhale to help you soften your rib basket back into your body.
I call it a rib basket instead of a rib cage because a basket is softer and has the ability to move. Our ribs are designed to move with every breath we take. A cage is rigid and unyielding; our ribs are not. 🙂
When I first started practicing this stretch, it was most intense in the front of my shoulders. But, after a few weeks, it's diminished and now I can really focus on the stretch happening in the side of my body.
I’d love to hear how this stretch feels for you and where you feel it in your body. Just leave a note in the comments below.
See you in the studio,
Sydney
P.S. – I learned this stretch from Katy Bowman. In the video I got tongue-tied and called her program Restorative Movement. What I intended to say was Restorative Exercise™! Check out Katy's work here…
P.P.S. – Stay tuned—in 2 weeks you'll learn all about the spinal twist and how it's different from a body roll!
6 Responses
I enjoy ALL of your videos! They are all instructive and informative. You do a wonderful job of thoroughly explaining the movements. And your husband is such a good sport to act as your model!
He is a great sport! Thank you so much for your feedback Jenny! 🙂
I love that you always share what you are learning. Thank you. Your videos are wonderful, very informative. I really like that they are quick, but full of information.
Thank YOU Tammy!
Hi Sydney, I’m really enjoying your videos – thank you.
I have also just started reading Katy Bowman’s books after a recommendation on a pilates FB forum. I am reading Alignment Matters (first chapter) and reading up about the feet. It’s brilliant and I’m learning so much.
Hi Jackie, That’s fantastic! I can’t begin to tell you how much Katy’s work has enhanced my teaching approach and helped me better understand alignment. For me, her work has simplified alignment mysteries and, as a result, I’m able to more easily help my clients with lasting positive changes. It’s so fun! Thank you for sharing your feedback!