Welcome!

Question #1: How does yoga support spine health? Movement, Conscious awareness, and breath.

Answer…. The simplest answer is because movement of the spine is essential for spinal health, and a key component of any lineage of a yoga asana sequence is movement of the spine in the 6 directions: forward (flexion), backward (extension), lateral flexion to each side, and axial rotation or twisting, in each direction. In yoga we also focus a lot on axial extension of the spine, or elongating the spine up and down, which reduces the natural curves of the spine, but also increases space between the vertebrae and reduces pressure on the vertebral discs by using the core muscles to create a neutral pelvis...

Question #2: What’s important about keeping the spine healthy and flexible?

Answer…The spine is the  sole protector of your spinal cord and associated nerves - where your ability to move freely, in all the 6 directions I discussed before, think, sleep and function normally, including being an upright human, come from. Any damage or injury in any part of the spine can cause extreme and debilitating pain, never mind limited range of motion and losing the ability to move your appendages freely, and your entire body, for that matter.  Your neural responses originate here, such as: pressure, touch, cold, warm, pain, as well as sensations in your skin, muscles, and joints....

Question #3: Share a little bit about how you got into supporting people around spine health.

Answer…My spinal health journey began when I was 20. I had always been an athlete in any sport I could, including being a distance runner for many years, and snowboarding, skating and skiing. I had taken many falls, including landing on my tailbone, and then on my head.  I had run long distances from the time I got my first pair of sneakers, and I ALWAYS had what is referred to as “Swayback Posture”.  This is when your Thoracic, or mid-spine and shoulders are slouched back behind your hips, so you lead with your hips in any motion, creating more pressure on the Lumbar spine, as the upper torso’s weight ends at the point where the Lumbar spine meets the sacrum.

Question #4: Share a personal story or a Client story where yoga supported someone in improving their spine health.

Answer...It is with great humility that I say, every single person I have taught yoga to has benefitted by learning how to engage their core to extend their lumbar spine. There is not one client whose life was changed more than another, nor did it save someone from surgery, because none of my clients have had to have surgery (but that’s not necessarily tied to me).  Hopefully, that is because they move consciously now.  But, overall everyone who comes to my classes, or has a private yoga session with me, particular to their own needs, feels supported and learns something new about their spine.

Question #5: What are 3 postures that someone could do to support the spine?

Answer…Well, the truth is that ANY posture where you are conscious of your pelvic tilt and spinal extension is supporting the spine.  So, being aware is the very best thing you can do to support your spine...

Contact Info...

Beth Parasmo

[email protected]

+19292490117

Instagram: @BreathewithBeth

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/breathewithbethyogaandmeditation/

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spreconnect/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/spreconnect/support