Now that’s the kinda post title the algorithm likes right?!?! Grabs the attention right away hahah
So anyway, is there really one exercise I would recommend to everyone to help them?!?!?
Well kinda yeah
Does everyone really need it?!?! Maybe not everyone but I would personally say that of all the clients that have ever come to see me, 99% have needed this exercise.
SO WHAT IS IT THEN WIBBS…..STOP TEASING US!
Well it is an exercise called sagittal cogs and a pre-curser of it called the meerkat.
These are exercises/drills I have learnt from my time studying with Gary Ward and Helen Hall.
The idea of both of these exercises is to reteach the 3 major structures of the body (pelvis, rib cage, skull) to interact with each other efficiently.
As we know, and are constantly told, most people have a forward head posture, rounded spine and a tucked under tail bone which can then lead to discomfort in the low back, tension headaches, neck pain and so so so many more issues.
The funny thing is, this is often said to be “bad posture” but actually this shape is something the body should be able to move into at any time, the issue comes when we can’t move out of it (Garys famous words again…one option is no option)
So this exercise aims to teach the body how to move the pelvis in a tilting fashion forward and backwards, same with the ribs and same with the soul…BUT doing it in a way in which the interaction is the same as watch/clock cogs move.
As one cog in a watch moves one way, the one next to it rolls the opposite and then the next one moves the same as the first…Confused??! Just go watch the video haha
Now this exercise allows length to be brought back into the spine while it is in a straight line, which is why we use the wall or the floor. It keeps things on axis, moving together in line.
I now can’t remember if I said so in the video but if you head has trouble comfortably lying on the floor, then make sure to pop a book under it, pick thickness that works for you, and over time you will be able to reduce the size until you are on the floor.
So why do I recommend this to EVERYONE?? Because most people have less than optimal sagittal plane posture (the the view from the side of the body) and while we can’t say that the sagittal plane movement is the most important, when one plane is compromised, it will prevent the other 2 planes (frontal and transverse) from having optimal movement.
Basically its a really easy win for most people..A really easy way to get their head back onto of their shoulders, their pelvis beginning to find some life and their ribs to actually find some space to let them lungs expand properly.
So go check this little 10 minute video out and give it a go, try and do it for a few minutes a day and see how you feel and get on. Please do feel free to reach out and ask any questions about this exercise and I will be happy to help out.
This is the long game work too, don’t necessarily expect this to have an effect on the first day but given a week or so you might well begin to really see and feel a difference.