Long Life Movement

Side Bend for More Length

Living without length and space in our bodies may create a lot of pain. From low back pain to digestive issues and difficulty getting a good breath in. And that’s why I love side bending.

Side bending, also known as lateral flexion, is a therapeutic staple. Lateral flexion has a number of benefits.

  • Improves pelvic-lumbar stability
  • Opens the musculature and tissue between your ribs assisting with more expansive inhalation
  • Creates space between the top of the pelvis and the bottom of the ribcage which helps with comfortable digestion
  • Keeps the joints of our spine lubricated through healthy movement
What are the primary muscles used for side bends?

The primary muscles used for lateral flexion are Internal Obliques, External Obliques, Quadratus Lumborum (QL) and the Erector Spinae The Erector Spinae is comprised of 3 muscle groups: Iliocostalis, Longissimus, Spinalis.

Lateral Flexion Exercises

While it is super important to practice lateral flexion while standing on your feet, props really help with lateral flexion. Props allow our spine to feel supported as we breathe. The muscles and tissue that support our spine move with each breath.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

about the author

Lisa Long, M.A.

Lisa Long wants to live in a world where Love gives you a permission slip to drop the mask and be who you are. Known for her hearty and full-body laugh, Lisa meets people where they are in the present moment. She passionately believes in the healing potential of movement. As a teacher and producer/writer, her work has been featured on CBS affiliates, cable channel networks, and the NFL. As well, her manual "Home Practice: A Guide for Healing from Breast Cancer" was published by a multi hospital healthcare network. She also co-created an extensive resource video library for the global Anusara School of Hatha Yoga. When she's not helping others reach their fullest potential, you'll find Lisa hiking a trail to a waterfall or riding her bike at the beach. Her latest collaboration culminated with a grand 4-day retreat in the Rocky Mountains for over 130 individuals.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Leave your thoughts

Check These Out

Based on your interest, we've curated these articles just for you.

fascia tensegrity movement

Fascia + Tensegrity

Great movement scientists and thinkers are studying connective tissue called fascia as well as tensegrity in the human body. Seems like we are all talking about it, too. Compared to… View Article

6 min read

women and men in grey shirts doing a yoga seated twist

Improve Your Posture, Today

It’s radical. I am not going to tell you to stand up straight. If you really want to improve your posture, you’ll have to let go of some old ideas…. View Article

6 min read

Foot Pain? Feel better ideas.

Do you have foot pain? Or are you trying to not have foot pain? Feel better with a few ideas. Disclaimer right off the top. Always talk with your medical… View Article

3 min read