Scoliosis exercises are designed to correct or improve the lateral or rotary curvature of the spine. Opinion is still divided in the medical world as to the cause of the condition. Some theories state nutrition or environmental issues, more recently some consider the cause to be a defective gene.

However, regardless of the cause there have been numerous studies to show that people with scoliosis can benefit from exercise and activities such as yoga. In the cases I have seen of scoliosis there is also the question of what you are doing to yourself when not exercising. Even if you spend 30 minutes a day doing your exercises what about the other 95% of your time? It can be counterproductive to do your exercises and then return to your normal daily activities and undo what you achieved by going back to your habitual patterns that control your muscles.

Regardless of your condition you have habits that determine how you stand, sit and move. The curve in your spine will have conditioned your muscles to behave in a particular way. Once you have finished your exercises it is important not to return to your usual habits and use your muscles in the same way. Postural correction exercises do not necessarily change your posture for the good. Whilst it is beneficial to be aware of your posture you should check you are not trying to sit and stand straight using excessive muscular tension. Trying to stand up straight in the old military style will load more stress on your spine.

In the cases of scoliosis I have seen in my role as an Alexander Teacher I detect a tightening in a downward spiral towards the ground. Following your exercises you may spend the next hour standing with this configuration of muscle activity, result - back to square one. The procedure below will help you to determine if you have a downward spiral. Before you start it is important to recognise that whilst gravity pulls us down there is an equal and opposite react that is pushing back (Newton's 3rd law of motion). Whether you are lying down, sitting, standing or walking the surface beneath you is pushing back in result of the contact you are making with it. You don't need to help gravity by tightening your body and pulling down yourself. This procedure will help you to let go of unnecessary holding, the habitual patterns, and will release stress on your spine. It will also help you to appreciate how to let go and allow a reverse upward spiral from the floor. It is best done following your exercises.

Try this procedure for scoliosis

1. Stand with your feet about hip width apart and be aware of the contact you are making with the floor. Appreciate the push coming back up.

2. Let you head start to turn slowly to the left but don't let the shoulders move yet.

3. When your head has reached the end of its rotation, allow your shoulders to move to the left. IMPORTANT - do not let yourself screw down into the floor. Keep the thought that the floor is pushing up and you can release upwards also.

4. Once your shoulders have moved as far as they can, let your pelvis start to move. Keep moving in this upwards rotation until you feel your feet need to move and stop there.

5. Maintain this position for a few moments and then let go and let yourself swing back to the front and allow for slight movement. You don't want to fix yourself back into your habitual standing pattern.

6. Repeat on the opposite side.

Because you have scoliosis one side will feel harder to perform because you will be going against the twist. If this is the case start on the harder turn first, repeat and the easy side and then return to do one more on the hard side.

At any other time when you are not doing your exercises, whatever position you are in, see if you can be aware of the supporting surface and allow a thought for an upward release with a slight twirl. It isn't necessary to actually do it because the thought can be enough to get a release from your habitual holding pattern.

Always consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise program

Roy Palmer is a teacher of The Alexander Technique and has studied performance enhancement in sport for the last 10 years. In 2001 he published a book called 'The Performance Paradox: Challenging the conventional methods of sports training and exercise' and is currently working on a new project about The Zone. More information about his unique approach to training can be found at http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com