Cervical spine bone density

 Our bones are continuously breaking down and rebuilding and they rebuild according to the weight load they are given.  In yoga, we use the weight of our body to load our spinal joints.  Using proper yoga technique, we safely support these joints by strengthening and lengthening the muscles along both sides of the body while gifting the joint symmetrical stress load. 

Let's look at how we engage the cervical spine during Half Locust pose using proper technique:

- Weight Distribution: The weight of the leg reaches into the cervical vertebrae. Placing the arms under the body raises the rib cage while keeping the shoulders on the floor.
  - Upper Body Activation: Extending the back of the neck as both locked legs lift activates the muscles in the upper back and neck. Isolating the neck and upper back requires arm engagement, as this myofascial chain is inseparable.
- Leveraging Weight: Locked legs transfer weight to the fingertips, upper back, and neck.
- Controlled Movement: Take a deep breath as you enter the posture to ensure you are lifting with leg muscles rather than using momentum or launching your legs for height.

Executing this technique correctly trains the upper back muscles to fire and safely places weight on the bone joints of your cervical spine.​

While we reason with ourselves that we are not perfect, this does not absolve us from applying correct technique.  Using yoga correctly will train your personality.  All improvement along the spine begins with an impulse.  The coordinates we set at the onset determine our destination.  The right way is indeed the hard way.