To bend the spine, or not to bend the spine, that is the question. Bending the spine, or spinal flexion, is a hot-button topic in the exercise world, and there’s contradictory evidence everywhere on the subject.

And if you’re familiar with Pilates, you know spinal flexion is a significant component in many traditional exercises.

At the beginning of my teaching career, I had a teacher who regaled me with chilling tales of people whose spinal disks protruded and ruptured as a result of spinal flexion exercises.

Which left me TERRIFIED of hurting someone and feeling incredibly limited in what I taught in classes and private sessions—nobody’s vertebral disk was going to squirt out of their spine on my watch!

Over time, my understanding of human body mechanics and alignment deepened and I finally put myself at ease and reclaimed teaching spinal flexion.

Ultimately, it depends on your specific body and your particular spine when it comes to flexion.

And, clearly, there’s not a one-size-fits-all answer.

HOWEVER, there is a primary key to making spinal flexion safe for your spine, and it has everything to do with your pelvis.

In today’s video, you’ll learn the key to safe spinal flexion and how to apply it to the Pilates exercise Spine Stretch Forward.

After you try it, I’d love to hear how it goes, so be sure to tell me in the comments!

Yours in safely moving your spine,

Sydney