10+1 Somatic Movements (On the Floor) 8: Arch and Curl Butterfly Elbows

The Somatic approach teaches us how to take the ‘whole’ into consideration and how to sense ourselves from the inside out.

Starting with a focus on the breath, we create a connection within that leads to deeper mindfulness and awareness. But it’s also important to set ourselves up for a good physical experience. Props are helpful for scoliosis and fusion in any movement/exercise practice - scoliosis pads, a thin pillow perhaps, and, in the case of today’s movement, anything required to support your elbows - to create more balance and ease. With this in mind, try a little taste of ‘Arch and Curl Butterfly Elbows’.

With your hands behind your head, elbows relaxed, and legs bent so your knees face the ceiling, gently close your elbows together in front of your face. Hold for a moment, then slide the shoulders back down as your elbows open. In the rest of this five-minute practice, Martha incorporates various progressions on the movement, including lifting the head while pressing the waist down, arching and contracting the back, and diagonal curls involving opposite elbow and foot.

Somatics helps reduce pain, calm the nervous system, and it restores and increases motion - things everyone with scoliosis can benefit from!

Continue following along this month - we hope you enjoy. Wishing all you twisty people a wonderful Scoliosis Awareness Month!

#ScoliosisAwarenessMonth #spinalfusion #bentnotbroken