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exercise of the month

Open Leg Rocker

November 2017

Aim

To work the abdominals and massage the spine

Starting Position

Sit upright with two straight legs in the air and apart, balancing just back of the sit bones.   Hold onto the ankles with the hands if flexibility allows. 

Action

Inhale - Allow the body to roll back without allowing the head to touch the floor

Exhale - To roll back up to the starting without allowing the feet to touch the floor.  A certain degree of momentum plus abdominal strength will be employed here to ensure a successful roll.  Try to pause and balance before going into the next roll. 

This is a much more challenging position than the previous Rolling Like a Ball exercise.

Target Muscles

Core abdominals, rectus abdominis, spinal flexors, adductors, hamstrings

Watchpoints

Keep the chin tucked in to avoid throwing back the head

Maintain an equal distance between the knees and chest throughout

Keep shoulders away from the ears

Contra Indictions

This exercise may not be suitable for those with osteoporosis of the spine

For certain disc related back problems and spinal fusions where it is hard to articulate the spine and therefore maintain a decent spinal flexion, this may be unsuitable

If it feels uncomfortable or the spine cannot maintain a decent flexion then avoid this exercise

Share this exercise

July 2022

A lovely exercise for spinal articulation to open the back of the body and assist in coordination

View exercise >

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