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Side-Lying Thoracic Rotation Stretch

Beginner
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A side-lying mobility exercise that enhances thoracic spine rotation, targeting erector spinae and obliques to improve upper back flexibility for better posture and sports performance requiring rotational movements.

About Exercise

Equipment

Body Weight

Difficulty

1/5 • Beginner

Primary Muscle Groups

Lower Back

Secondary Muscles

Lats, Chest, Traps

Popularity Score

6

Goals

Mobility
Stability

Training Style

Yoga
Mobility Flow

Setup Requirements

Requires Rack

No

Requires Bench

No

Requires Spotter

No

Space Needed

Small

Noise Level

Low

Muscle Breakdown

Lower Back

8/10

Erector Spinae

Obliques

7/10

External Obliques, Internal Obliques

Lats

4/10

Chest

3/10

Upper Chest

Traps

3/10

Mid Traps

Programming

Typical Rep Range

5-10 reps

Rest Between Sets

30-60 seconds

How to Perform

Lie on your side on a mat with knees bent at 90 degrees and stacked, arms extended forward at chest level with palms touching.

  1. Inhale to prepare.
  2. Exhale and rotate your top arm backward toward the floor.
  3. Follow the movement with your head and eyes.
  4. Keep knees and hips stable without rolling.
  5. Hold the end position briefly while breathing deeply.
  6. Inhale and return top arm to start position.
  7. Switch sides after reps.

Coaching Tips

Form Cues

  • Hips stacked
  • Rotate from upper back
  • Eyes follow hand
  • Knees locked together

Breathing

Inhale to prepare or return; exhale to rotate and deepen the stretch while bracing your core.

Tempo

3-2-1

Range of Motion

Rotate top arm from forward to as close to the floor behind you as comfortable without straining lower back or hips.

Safety

Safety Notes

  • Stop if sharp pain occurs
  • Consult professional for back injuries
  • Avoid if acute spinal issues
  • Keep movement controlled

Spotting

Not required; self-guided mobility exercise.

Common Mistakes

  • Rolling hips backward
  • Twisting lower back
  • Forcing beyond comfort
  • Jerky movements

When to Avoid

  • Acute back pain
  • Spinal injuries
  • Recent surgery

Flexibility Needed

  • Basic hip flexion
  • Shoulder external rotation

Also known as

Open-Book Stretch, Side-Lying T-Spine Rotation, Thoracic Rotation Stretch

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