Hey lovely

How's things?

Good I hope.

Isn't it fascinating to consider how intricately our bodies are designed?

Come on it can’t just be me that mulls over just how magical we are- I mean you are made up of trillions of cells and they’re all doing their thing without yu even noticing!

One of the things that really fascinates me I’m going to share with you.

It is the profound connection between our tongue and overall body alignment!

I know what you’re thinking, but that muscular organ in your mouth is super IMPORTANT!

It is a relationship that underpins the significance of proper tongue posture in practices like Pilates and breathwork.

It can mean the difference between balancing… and well not.

Our bodies are enveloped in this continuous web of connective tissue known as fascia. Your fascial network, is like a ‘sausage skin’ that runs around and between every structure in your body, hence connecting your tongue to to your toes.

This dynamic network not only provides structural support but also facilitates communication between various parts of the body. The tongue, often overlooked, plays a pivotal role within this fascial system. Its position and movement can influence regions far beyond the oral cavity, extending effects down to our toes.

Here is one way that your balance goes off…

Breathing through your mouth, rather than the nose, can lead to improper tongue positioning. 

When the tongue rests low or against the teeth, it can disrupt the harmony of the orofacial musculature, leading to orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMDs). These disorders are characterized by abnormal resting postures of the tongue and facial muscles, atypical chewing and swallowing patterns, and can contribute to dental malocclusions and speech issues.

Imagine your tongue as the body's internal foundation. When it rests correctly against the palate, it supports proper nasal breathing, maintains the oral cavity's structure, and promotes optimal posture. Conversely, a low-resting tongue can lead to mouth breathing, forward head posture, and a cascade of compensatory mechanisms throughout the body.

The alignment of your head and neck is deeply influenced by tongue posture. A forward head position, often resulting from improper tongue placement, can strain neck muscles and alter the body's center of gravity. This misalignment can propagate through the spine, affecting posture and potentially leading to discomfort or pain.

This is exactly where Pilates and breathwork come in.

Incorporating an awareness of your tongue posture into Pilates and breathwork practices can enhance their effectiveness. Proper tongue positioning promotes nasal breathing, which is essential for optimal oxygen uptake and diaphragmatic movement. This integration supports core stability, spinal alignment, and overall functional movement patterns.

So, the tongue's influence extends far beyond speech and taste; it is integral to our posture, breathing, and overall well-being. Recognizing and addressing tongue posture can lead to profound improvements in body alignment and health. By integrating this awareness into practices like Pilates and breathwork, we can harness the body's innate potential for balance and harmony. 

I bet that’s food for thought!

Love + wellness

Tracy x