1 Minute Habit · #241
1 Minute Habit for August 29
Do 10 standing side bends
Why This Habit Helps
Physical therapists call lateral flexion the 'forgotten movement' - most daily activities occur in forward planes, causing core muscles to weaken asymmetrically.
This simple motion activates the quadratus lumborum (QL) - your body's 'backpack muscle' that stabilizes the spine during walking and standing.
What You’ll Do in 1 Minute
- Improves rib cage mobility for deeper breathing
- Reduces low back pain from muscle imbalances
- Stretches the latissimus dorsi (improves overhead reach)
- Massages internal organs through gentle compression
- Counters 'desk hunch' postural distortion
Quick Overview
Traditional Hawaiian lomilomi massage incorporates side stretches to 'create space between the ribs' - modern kinesiology confirms this enhances diaphragmatic breathing capacity.
Your body moves in three planes: sagittal (forward/back), frontal (side-to-side), and transverse (rotation). Most exercise neglects frontal plane movements, creating weakness this habit corrects.
How to Get Started
- Keep hips stable (no swaying)
- Reach overhead with opposite arm for deeper stretch
- Exhale while bending to enhance rib mobility
- Imagine creating space between each rib
- Move slowly to engage stabilizers
How to Adapt This Habit
If you’re a busy professional
Do while waiting for coffee/printers
If you’re a parent
Make it a game: 'rainbow arms' with kids
If you’re a student or learner
Use between study sessions to wake up
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💬 Your Success Stories
After herniating a disc, my PT prescribed side bends to rebalance my core. At first I could barely bend a few inches! Now I do them daily - not only has back pain disappeared, but my golf swing improved dramatically from the increased rotation.
— Carl
