What Are You Twisting And Why?
Just recently, in my 300hr YTT, we spent a fair amount of time talking about twists. I usually get asked the same questions and they are all based on “rules” that have been declared such as:
- Don’t turn the pelvis
- Do turn the pelvis
- Keep the shoulder down
- Let the shoulder lift
- Move the pelvis away from the direction you are twisting
- Always keep a neutral spine when you twist
I tend to not worry about the rule itself, but rather what the effect of the rule is. And in order to understand the effect, we need to talk about what we are trying to achieve when we twist. If this sounds interesting to you, watch the video here.
Is It Safe To Twist In Yoga?
I made this video super practical so I didn’t address the cautionary tales around twisting (and flexing, of course). That discussion is better suited for a two-way conversation and usually requires a robust list of citations showing that the compression and sheer forces during unloaded positions are generally within a threshold that promotes positive adaptation in bones and discs. We just covered the subject thoroughly in our last YTT session which gave everyone a lot to think about.
In the end, you really only have two choices. Choose wisely.
Extend Your Learning: Online Education With Jules
Yoga Biomechanics Livestream
Do you have an insatiable curiosity about how the body works, but you're unsatisfied by anatomical explanations that seem contradictory, too complicated, or oversimplified? In this live stream, Jules helps you make sense of it all while empowering you to think critically and become a natural problem solver. Learn more >