21: Yoga Twists: What Does the Science Say?

Do yoga twists really detox your body? Should you keep your hips square, lengthen your spine before rotating or avoid twisting your lower back? In this solo episode, recorded during his yoga retreat in Portugal, Matt explores the anatomy of spinal rotation, common misconceptions about twisting poses and practical ways to bring more variety into your yoga teaching. In this episode: Why your thoracic spine rotates more than your lumbar spine How your neck, hips and shoulders contribute to twisting poses Whether your hips really need to stay square Why lifting your shoulder in a reclining twist isn't necessarily wrong What actually happens when you cue students to lengthen their spine Inhaling, exhaling and exploring different spinal positions Active versus passive-assisted twists Why twists don't detox your liver What we know—and don't know—about twists and digestion How to teach twists without rigid alignment rules Explore more September's focus inside the Enlightened Yoga Collective is twists, including a practical class exploring different ways to rotate. Join the Enlightened Yoga Collective and start your 7-day free trial. Matt's website · More podcast episodes Download my free e-book 5 Truth Bombs to Make You a More Confident Yoga Teacher. For yoga teaching tips, follow me on Instagram or on Facebook.