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View Full Version : Spinal Rock - Do you hold it and if so how long?



PaoloValladolid
10-05-2004, 06:08 AM
I finally tried Body Flow BMEs last night, evaluating which of the sample BMEs presented in the book were doable for me, both in terms of my current fitness level and which could be done without shoulder pain (my orthopedic doctor thinks I have a biceps tendon injury - we are awaiting my MRI).

The Spinal Rock is one BME that doesn't bother my shoulder. Do you hold the position where your weight is resting on your upper back and neck? Or is that position only held very momentarily before rocking back to a sitting position?

I pretty much focused on the rolling BMEs.

After my BME evaluation, I found I could do the back roll from Pavel's Resilient DVD in reverse - that is, do a front roll. I was initially shown this Russian style front roll by a Systema instructor, but had trouble doing it despite his direction to relax. I later started working on the back roll again when I got Resilient but my fear of the pain I remember from my attempts to front roll on a hard floor held me back. I believe the rolling BMEs built confidence to roll forward, because I did them all on the same hardwood floorl.

admin
10-05-2004, 07:50 AM
Hi Paoloa,

The Spinal Rock is one BME that doesn't bother my shoulder. Do you hold the position where your weight is resting on your upper back and neck? Or is that position only held very momentarily before rocking back to a sitting position? Generally speaking, none of the BMEs are meant to be held. We're exploring movement, looking for smoothness in motion with our breathing matched to the effort/contraction/expansion. In the Spinal Rock, concentrate on contracting your core as you rock back and exhale; once your toes touch behind your head, go immediately into the forward roll portion.

Fun stuff, eh? :)

PS: head over to the Welcome Mat and give a little intro about yourself. You'll find lots of helpful people here to answer your questions.

Scott Sonnon
10-05-2004, 08:08 AM
In Body-Flow, you will need to focus on breathing through, moving through, and keeping form through... to create the relaxed composure of a professional. Holding positions will create tension chains which will interfere with this goal.

PaoloValladolid
10-05-2004, 10:04 AM
Thanks for the responses! I posted my intro as requested.