Monday, November 8, 2010

Cervical spine in backbends

The cervical curve and the lumbar curve are secondary curves, they develop after birth. The cervical curve develops when the baby begins to hold her head up and the lumbar curve develops when the baby while she is learning to stand. Both these curves are less stable. These curves are called sympathetic curves i.e. when you flex your neck there is a tendency to flex your lumbar spine and when you extend your lumbar spine you will often extend your neck. You can try this either laying on the mat or standing with one hand on your neck and the other on your lower back. Try flexing and extending your lower back and notice the effect on your cervical spine.

It is very important to remember this while practicing forward folds and back bends.

Based on YogaBody by Judith Hanson Lasater

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