Seated Twists To Boost Your Energy & Digestion

Besides backing up in the car, how often do you twist and look behind you in a day?

Computers, phones, and even back up car cameras are messing with our movement patterns.

Stiffness and loss of thoracic rotation used to just be related to poor posture and aging but technology is definitely contributing to spine issues.

Our bodies & brains weren't meant to be staring at a screen all day.

Even if you play a sport like golf or tennis that involves rotation, it's highly unlikely you're playing as much as you look at a screen.

Remember our fascia (connective tissue) takes the shape of the thing we do most during the day.

It's time to add some Seated Twist breaks to your day or when sitting at the computer for long periods. 

BENEFITS OF THE SEATED TWIST:

• It's an Energy Booster
• Helps with Digestion
• Stretches your Core Muscles

​Stop what you're doing and let's do some Seated Twists together.

HOW TO DO A SEATED TWIST:

This position targets your mid back muscles and helps with digestion. It can be done sitting in a chair or the floor.

• Find your seated position. Inhale and sit up tall.
• Exhale twist to the left as you reach your left hand behind you on the floor (or chair back) and your right hand to your left knee. 
• Inhale sit up tall. Visualize the crown of your head reaching to the ceiling. 
• Exhale twist a little further if you can as you pull your belly up and in. 
• Inhale sit up tall. Check your shoulders aren't up near your ears (think arm pits to hips).
• Exhale and look over your left shoulder if you can. 
• Inhale back to center. 
• Exhale as you twist to the right and repeat a twist with 3 full breaths on the right side.
• Inhale back to center. Exhale as you twist to the left.
• Repeat 3-5 twists on each side. 

​PRO TIP: On each breath, visualize your head and tailbone pulling away from one another as you lengthen through your spine. Focus on getting taller more than twisting. Don't force the twist. Be mindful of your current mobility.

I've got a lot of upper body & back tightness so I prefer to do the Seated Twist in a chair. Placing my arm over the back of the chair takes the tightness in my arms out of it and gives me some proprioceptive feedback & resistance so I can have better posture while I'm twisting. 

Basically, I feel more of a stretch in my spine because it's less fascia stretching.

If you have issues with constipation, try 3 twists a day and see how your body responds.

Whenever you need an energy boost during the day, do a twist.  Your body will love it.

Twist It Out!
Mollie

P.S. If you want better Energy and Mobility, you'll want to get on the wait list for our next REST Camp: SHINE™ - get on the interest list here.