The Lost Art of Bending Over

Weeding, planting, weeding, checking the soil, watering, weeding, checking for pests, weeding, watering, weeding, planting...

Gardening, as you all know, requires a lot of bending over, and I think we all notice at some point during the growing season how it affects our backs (not in a good way). I recently recalled something I heard on the radio: "The Lost Art of Bending Over: How Other Cultures Spare their Spines," and thought to share it. Below, I’ve summarized and shared some guidelines, as well as the original audio, so we can all benefit.

Always remember: "Engage your hamstrings" and "bend at the hip!"

How To Table Bend or Hinge at the Hip:

1. Place your feet about 12 inches apart. 
2. Keep your back straight. 
3. As you bend your knees, allow your pubic bone to move backward. 
4. Fold over by allowing your pubic bone to slide through your legs, down and back.

Below is the link to the entire article and a video demonstrating the 'table bend.' I hope you find it as interesting as I did!