"A healthy spine is a resilient one": A Pilates expert shares three moves for building a strong, well-supported spine

A woman performs a dumbbell row in a tabletop position at home on a yoga mat. She is kneeling on the mat, with her knees and toes touching it. Her torso is parallel to the ground and her right arm is extended, hand flat on the ground. Her left hand grasps a light dumbbell and her elbow is bent as she rows it up to her side. Behind her we see a couch, a kettlebell several plants and a bookcase filled with decorative items.

Have you ever been told to stand up straight to correct your bad posture and avoid back pain? Well, that advice isn't always helpful, as explained by Pilates instructor and movement specialist Lena Starzynska in her video below.

“Our spines are not straight,” said Starzynska in her Instagram caption. “They are more like a spring or [the] letter S. It makes it easier for them to handle loads."