LACE UP THAT CORSET!

I've been taking private yoga therapy classes with Yoga Circle teacher, Elizabeth, for a few weeks.  I requested some assistance with finding poses that would address my scoliosis, relieving some intermittent back pain and finding daily proper alignment, both on and off the mat.

Imagine my surprise when corseting became the focus of our time together!

The very best and most important "pose" any of us can do is to strengthen our inner core.  Nope, not the 6-pack muscles, which are fairly superficially located; rather, the deep core muscles which hold us erect and strong.

I'm doing a home practice in conjunction with my private lessons which has me first meditating on diaphragmatic breathing.  These deep core breaths are both energizing and relaxing.  I go to that many times during the day -- especially to relieve stress.

Next, who knew?, but our "core" is also linked to our pelvic floor.  These muscles are known to women as those that tighten as we do our Kegel exercises, but in this case I isolate only the front part of the muscle group, tightening the "floor" of the core.

The Transverse Abdominus are the deepest layer of abdominal muscles, wrapping around the body completely, front to back.  To tighten these, pretend you are zipping up a pair of really tight jeans.  Your abdomen should draw in, not poof out.

The trickiest, for me, of the core muscles is the Lumbar Multifidus. They run along the spine and tightening them is a subtle movement of drawing the center of the back close together as if lacing up a corset.

Put all these moves together and tighten!  Done as a practice, each time you are working toward a nice strong core that holds one in proper alignment, strengthens the muscles of the abdomen and back, relieves pain, and allows flexibility.  Magic!

It's not as easy as putting a corset on the outside and drawing it tight, but it IS healthier.  In my reading I found that some women in the 18th Century drew their corsets so tight (in an effort to have the smallest waistline possible -- slaves to fashion!), that they constricted their breathing to only the top part of their lungs, causing fluid to collect in the bottom of their lungs, a slight cough to develop (all those hankies!), and a chronic shortness of breath (all those heaving bosoms).

Learning the internal corseting is a challenge, but I'm working on it.  My lungs are growing more elastic, not less.  And standing up straight with core zipped up makes me inches taller than a slumped "casual" posture and elevates my mood and confidence as well.  Plus it takes about 10 pounds off the profile in the mirror.  Maybe not a 17 inch waist....but c'mon, that's just freakish!©

Namaste, donnajurene

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corset
              Inner Core Handout -- Sarva Yoga Therapy
Photo Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnesian_Folklore_Foundation