Lesson #103 "Bending sideways on the back"

This is a great side-bending lesson. First, lying on the back, the student bends to either side from the pelvis up. Then the legs are moved to the side, both together and individually, which gradually increases the ability of the the entire length of one side to shorten and the opposite side to lengthen. The lesson finishes standing on the knees bending to the side to put one palm on the floor, raising the other arm toward the ceiling and circling the lengthened arm which really encourages the ribs to open on the long side. Feeling the movement of and between the ribs is fantastic. Though it can be done at a fairly intense level, this is a lesson that can also be easily done by those with any level of experience simply by "doing less" (and maybe using pads or supports if it isn't possible to get the palm onto the floor from the kneeling position).