June, 2007

"As we grow older, all the curvatures of the spine tend to increase: The shoulders become rounded and stooped (increase in thoracic curvature); the head is lifted to look forward (increase in cervical curvature); and the abdomen bulges out (increase in lumbar curvature). This change in the shape of the spine is due to the continued influence of gravity and a progressive decline in muscle strength and tone, accelerated by decreased use of some muscle groups.

Asana practice, using appropriate movements and breathing, can prevent or offset this tendency of the spine to slump with aging. Therefore, in asanas, we try to straighten both the lower and upper back, decreasing both their curvatures.

The aim is not to decrease the curvatures of the spine to less than normal, but to prevent them from increasing to more than the ideal. When evaluating or designing any asana practice, we must consider the effect it has on the spine. If we disregard this important consideration, it is easy to arrive at a practice that may increase both structural and functional imbalance."

Excerpt from Yoga Therapy
by A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan