A Healthy Spine
Spine health is crucial to our overall health, especially as we age. It helps to support our structure and balance and helps us maintain good posture. One way to maintain a healthy spine is to move it in all possible directions on a daily basis. The spine moves in six different directions – flexion (forward fold), extension (backbend), twisting, and lateral flexion and extension (side bends). Side body mobility, or anatomically speaking, lateral flexion and extension, is an essential component of a well-rounded yoga practice and healthy spine. While physical side body mobilization is important, there are also energetic and emotional effects of asanas that involve this range of motion. Stretching (and compressing on the opposite side) is an important aspect of both yin and yang styles of yoga and should be included in both styles of yoga class. While yang styles of yoga are more dynamic and activating in nature, a 100 hour