“You Are Only As Young As Your Spine is” Is This True? | Yoga for health

“You are only as young as your spine is flexible.” This particular statement made by Joseph Pilates sparks curiosity in our minds whether it is really true or not. Yoga is closely linked to spine health, offering benefits that support a strong and flexible back. Let’s decode it from a Yogi’s perspective.

If you notice a child’s spine, it’s always straight and flexible as compared to older people who have a hunchback as the time goes by. Nowadays, even younger people slouch and have bad posture because of the use of digital devices for a longer time. So what causes that change in spine health and posture as we age?

Causes of Poor Posture

1.Sedentary Lifestyle:

Your posture may suffer greatly if you spend too much time sitting down every day. Lack of exercise and physical activity in our daily lives makes our muscles inactive. The muscles get degenerated with time and this makes the body muscles weak. The brain now signals the body to use alternate muscle movements to maintain the functioning of the body, which causes a change in the body posture.

2.Stress and anxiety:

It has been found by researchers that experiencing stress or anxiety may change how an individual utilizes their body. People who take deep breaths throughout the day, have a much more relaxed nervous system and thus relaxed muscles. Whereas people who are stressed or nervous often breathe more shallowly and may have more tense muscles throughout their day. This causes poor blood flow and circulation in our body which further leads to poor posture.

3.Spine Injury:

Due to any unforeseen circumstances if a person suffers a spine injury, it would result in misalignment of bones and cause muscle pain. When left untreated, it will change the body posture of an individual with time.

4.Use of Digital Devices:

Well, we can’t imagine a life without our devices right? Almost everyone out there is continuously working on different electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, computers and laptops due to work and personal commitments. This kind of usage causes a person to bend their neck for prolonged periods of time and unknowingly cause a change in body posture.

5.Wrong Footwear:

If a person wears the wrong pair and size of shoes wherein they are straining their heels and toes , they are heading towards leg and back pain problems subsequently. Improper size of footwear also restricts the leg muscles and blood flow to different organs in the body which causes a change in movement while walking.

6. Bone loss:

A medical condition such as Osteoporosis can cause loss of calcium in the bones and cause the vertebrae to shrink a little. Shrunk and weak bones results in the human spine muscle to bend over time and change the bone health.

So, How can one improve the posture to live a healthier and youthful life?

To improve the body posture, one should start with making small changes in their daily lifestyle. This change can be possible with a holistic approach towards health and wellness. The following methods can be considered to achieve this change:

1.Yoga:

Improved posture, improved circulation, a lower chance of injury, and general physical well-being are just a few advantages linked to a strong and flexible spine.

In yogic culture, the spine is considered to be the energetic center of the body, containing the main energy channels called nadis and energy centers called chakras. By keeping the spine flexible and strong through yoga practices such as asanas (postures), pranayama (breath control), and meditation, we can aim to maintain physical health, mental clarity, and emotional balance. These are few yoga asanas and poses that you can practice at home to improve posture:

Cat and Cow pose

The slow rhythm you create as you move between cat and cow poses, synchronizes your breath and body, which induces a relaxation response (parasympathetic nervous system) and deactivates your stress response (sympathetic nervous system).

Bhujangasana

One thing that makes yoga different from any other form of exercise is mental peace. Yoga increases the happy hormones in the body and balances the state of mind. The snake pose i.e. Bhujangasana offers both physical and mental benefits to yoga practitioners.

Trikonasana

Unlike most yoga postures, the Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) requires us to keep the eyes open in order to maintain mind and body balance. It improves spinal flexibility and also has the effect of strengthening the leg muscles thereby reducing body stiffness. Other benefits being it increases mental and physical balance in our body.

Surya Namaskar : It consists of 12 yoga asanas and is a complete body workout for yoga practitioners. Practicing Surya Namaskar regularly is a great way to keep your body in good shape and improve your overall fitness.

2.Diet Changes

Try to include more healthy and nutritious food in your diet. Eating a diet rich in the following minerals and vitamins would help in healthy functioning of spine:

Magnesium rich foods like Chia seeds, green vegetables, avocados and bananas can reduce muscle tension in the body.
Calcium, Vitamin D and K rich foods like dairy products, fish, beans and lentils helps in preventing osteoporosis and nourishes the bones.
Vitamin A, Iron and B-Complex vitamins which are found in carrots, seeds, Chickpeas, red beets helps to solve nerve related issues faced because of bad posture.

3.Mindful Lifestyle

By being more observant , one can start with making small changes in the body posture. If you see yourself slouching at your workplace, train yourself to keep your back straight and feet flat on the ground. You can also take a few short breaks rather than breaks after a much longer time, which would be a cause for bad posture. By installing a standing desk at the workplace and keeping the phone at a distance, one can reduce the muscle strain on eyes and spine.

4.Physical Therapy

After making all the lifestyle changes, one can consult a physiotherapist for posture improvement and treatment. Some of the benefits of physical therapy are:

- It helps in strengthening of muscles

- It Improves joint and muscle flexibility

- Expert guidance to improve the posture

- It enhances spinal strength

The advantages of physiotherapy are manifold but it is not a quick process. It takes consistency and patience for a person to improve and have a good posture.

Conclusion:

The spine is not just a bunch of bones; it is the central pillar that supports our whole body. Its health directly affects our ability to move, stand up straight and maintain good posture. As we age, the spine changes from natural wear and tear to the effects of lifestyle choices. However, these changes do not have to mean a decrease in vitality. Instead, they offer an opportunity to prioritize spine care and unlock the secrets to staying young..

After thorough research, the quote made by Joseph Pilates does prove the connection of Spine health with youthfulness in today’s world. By having a more holistic approach towards health and wellness, a person can stay young and have a flexible spine with time.

In conclusion, the key to youth is not to defy the natural aging process, but to take care of your body, especially your spine. By prioritizing regular exercise, a mindful attitude, a nutritious diet and overall well-being, we can unlock the fountain of youth within us and enjoy a vibrant and active life at all ages. Remember that you are only as young as your spine, so treat it with the care and respect it deserves..