Keep Your Core/Torso Safe and Healthy

TUESDAY TORSO INFO

Did you know:

1. “The human spinal column is made up of 33 bones: 7 vertebrae in the cervical region, 12 in the thoracic region, 5 in the lumbar region, 5 in the sacral region and 4 in the coccygeal region.” (From disabledworld.com)
2. “Turning Torso” is a residential skyscraper in Malmö, Sweden and the tallest building in the Nordic countries.
3. Core hula hooping massages the spine, internal organs and a myriad of acupressure points.*
4. “Torso Tricks: is the Hip The Hoopla​ Tuesday 6:30pm class theme. www.HipTheHoopla.com to massage your terrific spot!

Your spine and torso influence all the body’s movements. When this is compromised by any kind of injury, motion can be extremely painful. By taking care of your body, you increase your longevity and mobility. Just ask anyone who doesn’t have use of their spine the importance of regular care and maintenance.

Easy steps to keep you actively mobile:

1. Stretching.

The expansion and contraction of stretching helps bring blood flow to the muscles and helps the nerves act and react. It also assists in preventing injury and improve flexibility and extension.
Note: start with smaller, gentle movements to get blood flowing, before attempting deeper stretches (which are excellent to do after your workout to cool down).

2. Deep Breathing.

Oxygenation of all the body’s cells is crucial for not only proper function, but survival. Deep breathing will help get nutrients in, and move toxins out. Plus it’s great de-stress technique. Getting in some deep breathing helps decrease your stress hormones, while easing up your adrenal functioning.

3. Hydration.

The body may function for a while without food, but deprive it of water and you get mild reactions to total shutdown. Drinking water throughout your day will help you keep up optimal functioning. And if you find yourself thirsty, that’s your body telling you that you are already dehydrated.  Tip: Try using one large water bottle and refilling a few times to remind you to keep your daily H2O intake up. Important: If you travel to high altitude or dry climates, increase your water intake significantly. Altitude sickness and foggy functioning can be mild to severe, depending on your body and acclimation.

4. Movement.

“Use it or lose it,” definitely applies to the body. When the body doesn’t move, it goes into atrophy. That means that tissues, muscles, shrink and can even break down and become inoperable. “A body in motion tends to stay in motion,” is a good way to be. Staying active will help supply blood to all your parts that need it.

5. Massage.

Massage can really move around lymph and help clear toxins from the body. There are a wide variety of styles to choose from: Swedish, deep tissue, Shiatsu, Thai and many others. Plus massage can be relaxing, soothing and release things you didn’t know you were even storing in your body. If you can get to a professional on a regular basis, that’s optimal. Though you can even learn techniques to do on yourself, which are also very useful. Massage after a workout, is especially helpful to prevent the lactic acid build up in your muscles, which creates pain.

6. Manipulation.

There are manipulation experts who study with years of training to move the spine and body safely and correctly. Licensed Chiropractors and Pilates professionals (originally created for injury recovery) are options to look into.
Your health care professionals should discuss with you options and treatments, if you are experiencing pain and mobility issues. Prevention and healthy maintenance is the key to staying at optimal functioning for as long as possible.

These tips, plus great nutrition, exercise and positive influences can take you farther than previous generations ever thought possible!

*Hula Hooping Trade Secret*:

Psst: There’s something that hula hoopers know that’s one of the greatest “workout” secrets. You get in all 6 of the above core-care techniques in one of the most FUN ways possible! Movement and stretching are inherent in hoop dance. Hydration when you sip water throughout your hooping practice, and deep breathing from your laughter and joy. Plus, you massage acupressure points all over the body and get in some gentle manipulation, too! That’s a huge easy check mark to put in the whole, “I really enjoy my workout,” column.

No matter what you choose to do, go do something!  It’s crucial to take care of your torso and entire body, for a great life.

Now go move with more grace, ease and joy.
♥ Blessings & Happy Health! ♥

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~Che’ Rippinger is Hip The Hoopla‘s CHO (Chief Hooping Officer)/Owner/Founder and head humorist, with heart. She’s been hula hooping since 2008 and running Hip The Hoopla since 2011 – while teaching, performing and making pro custom dance hula hoops. A dancer most of her life, Che’ has also been a humor writer/columnist, illustrator and cartoonist for The Denver Post and her Touché! Cartoons have been featured in PLAYGIRL Magazine.

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