Friends, doing the bridging poses discussed in the Royal court exercises have been reported as being the best poses for humans.

In most circles it is known as the "Wrestler's Bridge" or "Wrestler's Neck Bridge"

Now, coming from a yoga background, I personally tend to differ with that and probably won't go that far with hyping up the poses, but, that's not to say that I don't think one can't gain a lot from attempting the exercises.

Still, I will say Yoga is the king of all bodyweight exercises, and when the bridging derivative of it is done properly, from four different positions (front: head alone, with hands and head; back: with hands and head, head alone and hands alone), you'll not only become physically fit, but your brain will start working better.

The ancient Yoga gurus have said that flexibility of the spine is in direct correlation with lasting youth, and for good reason.

Folks, just think what you can do with a healthy spine. You can bend forward, backward as well as from side to side. You can twist, turn and shake. You can put your feet behind your head in the plough position; you can put your chin on your knees from standing or sitting.

So, suffice it to say that maintaining a healthy & flexible spine is something that is of uttermost importance.

That said, since I have listed the positions above as the various points from which you would want to engage in the bridge. You can always do a google search to see the various images for them or search for yours truly on youtube and I do have a section that shows me getting into the various positions.

Essentially they resemble the

1. Dolphin Pose Without the hands

2. Dolphin Pose With the hands on the Floor

3. Supta Vajrasan With The Hands & Feet on the Floor

4. Supta Vajrasan With Only The Feet on the Floor

5. Chakrasana/Gymnast Bridge.

I recommend you google the images or look up this author on the afore-mentioned social networking site to see them demonstrated.

Moreover, If you want to throw the headstand in for good measure after position #2, that's okay, just remember the applicable counter poses for that particular pose.

Also, remember the square breathing 5:5:5 ratio(inhalation, retention, exhalation) that I have suggested when executing the poses as well.

Now, I must stress that you may upon your searches see Matt Furey Performing the wrestler's bridge with his nose touching the mat, and yes I can go that far, or even further, but not unless you feel comfortable with a blemish that inevitably forms on your forehead from doing the pose, heads up, putting the top of your head on the mat would do just fine.

I keep it real folks.

Here's to health,

Foras Aje