where it was shown to be effective in relieving low-back pain. The system focuses on both mental and physical aspects of movement, and usually includes passive treat- ments on the massage table, where the teaching practitio- ner manipulates the body to help release muscular tension.
Stay Flexible Keeping spinal movements fl uid and supple is also essen- tial for keeping the discs of the spine healthy. Tai chi and the related qigong emphasize this kind of mobility. “Many Tai chi students fi nd that they can move some
of their vertebrae, but others seem to be stuck, with several vertebrae moving as one,” reports Sound Beach, New York- based Tai chi Master Bob Klein. He explains, “In Tai chi, you become a master of moving the spine so that it almost seems devoid of bones, fl owing and turning with ease, in exact coordination with the rest of the body.” Both Tai chi
and qigong are gaining popularity among those who are looking to maximize a cardio-style workout, while mini- mizing impact on their bones and joints. Yoga is a longtime favorite approach to maintain- ing both stability and fl exibility through strong muscles and alignment. Ana Forrest used her hatha yoga practice to recover from an accident that seriously injured all the regions of her spine, and Forrest Yoga was born out of her retraining. “People spend 90 percent of their waking hours in positions that compress the spine—in how they sit, how they stand, even how they do backbends in yoga class,” she observes. “Part of a good yoga practice is to create length in the spine, create a feeling of spaciousness in the body.” While Erickson considers herself a fan of all the exer- cise modalities listed here, she always emphasizes per- sonal responsibility when it comes to back health. “Never do an exercise that causes you pain,” she offers as a rule of thumb. For long-term back health, she explains that chi- ropractic care is great for improving alignment and other back-related issues, yet is no substitute for daily exercise and self-care.
Kicking and Screaming to Enlightenment, A Journey to the Real Self
MARY BELL
Spiritual Healer, Teacher, Author & Channel 623.748.3422
www.kickingandscreamingtoenlightenment.com
Michael Curran has credentials in psychology, ayurvedic medicine, and Restorative Exercise™. He is the director of Health and Wellness Media (
HealthAndWellnessMedia.com).
Contacts: Karen Erickson at
DrKarenErickson@msn.com; Ana Forrest at
ForrestYoga.com; Bob Klein at Movement-
sOfMagic.com; Lolita San Miguel at
LolitaPilates.com; and Annette Cantor-Groenfeldt at 505-670-0474.
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