Move
WHY YOUR SPINE LOVES YOU FOR DOING BARRE3
You’ve probably noticed your instructor mentioning your spine a lot lately. That’s because a healthy spine isn’t just beneficial for your body—it’s essential to your health.
We asked Lisa Schale-Drake, Vice President of Research and Development, to explain why the spine plays such a key role in your overall physical health and to share what barre3 does to support it.
Q: Why is a healthy spine essential to our physical health?
A: Your spine is central to every move you make, whether it’s stabilized, like in Plank, or in motion, like when you lean to the side to grab something next to you. Your spine is mobile, meaning it can move in many directions. With any body part that’s mobile, it’s easier to create patterns of imbalances. This can lead to pain due to issues related to muscles, nerves, or discs. When your spine is able to be in its natural state and move with ease and control, you will have less wear and tear on the joints.
Q: We know barre3 supports an overall balanced body, but how, specifically, does it support your spine?
A: Your spine is the foundation when it comes to working toward a more balanced state in your body. It literally holds your torso up, moves you, and stabilizes you. Our workout focuses on sustained-health moves that create good patterns in your spine, which helps you move with less pain in general. Our moves are designed to align and strengthen the muscles that support the spine (aka your core muscles). Your spine will thank you!
Q: What are the main benefits of having a healthy spine—both in and out of the studio?
A: When you have a healthy spine, you’ll have less pain in the body and a stronger core, both of which help you when you exercise. The same is true outside the studio. What you do in your barre3 class is directly related to what you do in your daily life.
Q: What are some of your favorite barre3 moves that support a healthy spine?
A: ALL of our barre3 core moves! I’m a big fan of focusing on a strength-based, stability-based posture, like Plank or Flat-Back Core, that help keep the spine safe and strong, followed by a move that encourages openness and mobility of the spine, like Cat/Cows in All Fours and Side-to-Side Leans.
Q: What can clients do if they want to bring more attention to their spine during their workouts?
A: The spine is directly affected by the pelvis and rib-cage placement. You might notice Instructors cue where your hips and rib cage should be. This is because if the pelvis and rib cage are aligned, the spine aligns, too. Also, pay attention to where your head is when you move. Proper placement can really help upper-neck tension and even headaches! As you work in postures, check that your ears are over your shoulders, your chin is soft, and you can easily move your head side to side and up and down.
I’m also a BIG fan of using breath to bring your awareness back. Inhale and, as you exhale, allow your awareness to focus on one part of your spine and just notice how it feels.
The good news? We love to geek out about your spine health, so you don’t have to. All you have to do is show up for class, move your body, and reap the benefits.
+ Do a studio or online workout today.
You’ve probably noticed your instructor mentioning your spine a lot lately. That’s because a healthy spine isn’t just beneficial for your body—it’s essential to your health.
We asked Lisa Schale-Drake, Vice President of Research and Development, to explain why the spine plays such a key role in your overall physical health and to share what barre3 does to support it.
Q: Why is a healthy spine essential to our physical health?
A: Your spine is central to every move you make, whether it’s stabilized, like in Plank, or in motion, like when you lean to the side to grab something next to you. Your spine is mobile, meaning it can move in many directions. With any body part that’s mobile, it’s easier to create patterns of imbalances. This can lead to pain due to issues related to muscles, nerves, or discs. When your spine is able to be in its natural state and move with ease and control, you will have less wear and tear on the joints.
Q: We know barre3 supports an overall balanced body, but how, specifically, does it support your spine?
A: Your spine is the foundation when it comes to working toward a more balanced state in your body. It literally holds your torso up, moves you, and stabilizes you. Our workout focuses on sustained-health moves that create good patterns in your spine, which helps you move with less pain in general. Our moves are designed to align and strengthen the muscles that support the spine (aka your core muscles). Your spine will thank you!
Q: What are the main benefits of having a healthy spine—both in and out of the studio?
A: When you have a healthy spine, you’ll have less pain in the body and a stronger core, both of which help you when you exercise. The same is true outside the studio. What you do in your barre3 class is directly related to what you do in your daily life.
Q: What are some of your favorite barre3 moves that support a healthy spine?
A: ALL of our barre3 core moves! I’m a big fan of focusing on a strength-based, stability-based posture, like Plank or Flat-Back Core, that help keep the spine safe and strong, followed by a move that encourages openness and mobility of the spine, like Cat/Cows in All Fours and Side-to-Side Leans.
Q: What can clients do if they want to bring more attention to their spine during their workouts?
A: The spine is directly affected by the pelvis and rib-cage placement. You might notice Instructors cue where your hips and rib cage should be. This is because if the pelvis and rib cage are aligned, the spine aligns, too. Also, pay attention to where your head is when you move. Proper placement can really help upper-neck tension and even headaches! As you work in postures, check that your ears are over your shoulders, your chin is soft, and you can easily move your head side to side and up and down.
I’m also a BIG fan of using breath to bring your awareness back. Inhale and, as you exhale, allow your awareness to focus on one part of your spine and just notice how it feels.
The good news? We love to geek out about your spine health, so you don’t have to. All you have to do is show up for class, move your body, and reap the benefits.
+ Do a studio or online workout today.
