My Back Hurts, I Need to Strengthen My Core!

Joseph Pilates said,”An 80 year old with a supple spine is 30, and a 30 year old with a stiff spine is 80!” The key here is suppleness not muscle strength. The mobility of the entire spine is dependent on it’s intervertebral health and mobility. The chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. The spine should be able to move in most directions with ease. It can only do so if it is stable yet supple.  Each vertebrae should be stable relative to its neighbouring one above and below and also in relation to the whole. They should all move to in sync and not one more than the other.  Back pain can occur for many reasons but at the root of it all one must look at the health of the entirety of the spine and how it is all working together and not just at the part that hurts. The core must move with the spine.  A strong outer frame will not necessarily support an Internal fragile spine. With stiffness comes fragility. One must work both the suppleness ad the stability through movement. This way one can move with ease and Grace versus vulnerability.

photo shot at Aro Ha