HUGE stretching tip that most people miss

neurologyanatomyflexibility
Written By Adell Bridges

"Brainy What-Why-How"

Your weekly nibble of science-backed goodness to help you move better and feel unstoppable.

🧠

What (the TL:DR)

Your spinal cord can stretch up to 9cm when your spine is in flexion (rounding forward) 🤯

This can add tension to all the other nerves that 🌳 branch 🌳 out of it

(your nervous system is basically a tree 🌳)

Why (the geeky neurology)

This is noteworthy because you can control how much tension you put on a nerve by changing what your spine is doing.

And sometimes, putting tension on a nerve (i.e., stretching it) is HELPFUL.

This is because, like muscles, nerves NEED to be stretched.*

How (apply it to your life)

Put it into practice by:

- lifting your chin away from your chest to remove the tension on a nerve

For example: if your sciatic nerve bothers you in forward folding postures, you can release some of the tension by lifting your chin away from your chest

- or bring your chin towards your chest to create more tension

Sometimes a nerve can respond well to being stretched, and this chin-to-chest movement can help with that.

BONUS TIP: before moving your neck, lengthen it: pull your chin back (give yourself a double chin) and then either bring the chin towards or away from the chest.

BONUS TIP 2: if you want even more tension, tilt your head to the side (ear to shoulder) -- away from the leg you're stretching. Do this from C5: so keep the neck long, as if you're reaching your ear to the edge of your shoulder.

BONUS TIP 3: add more movement to your spine, like I demonstrate in this 21-second video.

Wishing you a great week my fellow tree,

Adell 🌳

  • Nerve mobilisation in all its glory is a module in my NeuroYoga teacher training 🤓 🧠

Want to go way deeper with me? 👀

Adell Bridges
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