Breathworks for Your Back
Exercise therapist Swayzee makes a case for her program of strengthening the innermost abdominal muscles to stabilize the trunk, thereby relieving stress on and pain in the back. Additional promised benefits are improved posture, better respiratory function, and improved abdominal tone. The basic abdominal exercises are introduced in part 1. These are performed in a slow, small, controlled manner, with conscious deep breathing, which helps release muscle tension and enhance body awareness. Line drawings accompany lengthy, detailed instructions; special tips and precautions for each activity address those with recent back injury or surgery, the significantly overweight, seniors, and pregnant women. Parts 2, 3, and 4 present range-of-motion exercises to loosen and warm up the body, back-strengthening exercises to correct memory patterns, and a protocol of progressive stretches. As the deep abdominal muscles get stronger and tighter, Swayzee guides the reader to incorporate the body's new patterns into everyday activities. Well written and easy to follow.Penny Spokes