02/18/2026
The Spine is the Tree of Life
Your spine is like a lotus flower. From childhood to adulthood it blooms and opens up beautifully, and in old age, it closes up and shuts down. If you are lucky to still have ageing parents you can clearly see how their spines are slowly shutting down. Once this happens the pressure the internal organs endure due to the bending forward of the torso, causes them to slow down and malfunction, slowly leading them to a sure death. Yoga, if it is done correctly can be the best anti ageing practice. This practice, especially the back bending poses can help strengthen the spine, realign the spinal disks and develop the back muscles, which are essential to maintain good posture, which is essential to keep the internal organs working properly. Joseph Pilates once said; "If your spine is inflexible stiff at 30, you are old". If your spine is flexible at 60, you are young. A healthy spine supports the body while letting it move freely, regardless of your age. The best supporting principle of practicing or teaching yoga is knowledge, without it you can cause more damage than benefits.... tony sanchez
