Mexico Yoga Retreat 2012 Riviera Nayarit:                                  Mindful Energy Balancing

Your back will thank you next time you head out for a roadtrip!  Going backwards, starting with #4:

4.   Alignment!  We’re put together to function with the least amount of effort when we use good alignment.  That means being able to drop a plumb line from your mid-ear to your shoulder and to your hip.  Set up your seat so that your hips are higher than your knees which helps to facilitate the lumbar and cervical curves.  Feel your scapula on the back of the seat and your head against the headrest.  Avoid hunching over the wheel.

3.  Stretch & move.  Keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road, rotate the shoulders side to side then over arch and alternately curve under.  Another good movement is to squeeze together your shoulder blades and release alternately.  This brings new circulation to your back muscles.

2.  Assist your lumbar curve.  Even with the best of seats, when it comes to a longer roadtrip, my back thanks me for bringing along an external lumbar pillow.  What I’ve found works the best is a small down pillow in a stuff sack.  I use my backpacking pillow that seems to go everywhere with me.  Airplanes too!

1.  Use your cruise control whenever safely possible.  When your right foot is constantly monitoring the pressure to the gas pedal, it can result in a sticky and often angry Sacro Iliac (SI) joint.  This is one of the most common complaint I get as a therapist.  Also watch the angle of the right foot and keep the toe and heel in alignment, avoiding letting the toe point out.  When using cruise control, place both feet on the mat with the knees bent.  Big difference from having the foot on the gas pedal!