Awful, awful, awful stretch. If we can call it that. If attempted recently in life, you would find out how much your body has actually changed and be super depressed ;) So back to the seated twist, which looks as follows:
The seated twist is primarily a lower back stretch, BUT I always believe stretches are personal. Where you feel the stretch the most, is where you are getting the most benefit (AKA where you are tightest!!!) You might also feel your hips, obliques, back and neck. Or any and all of the above. Or none (not likely) then you need to spend your time elsewhere.
For those of us that are not uber-flexible, you will find this stretch not only uncomfortable, but hard to get into. I would recommend calling upon props to help achieve easier access to the pose. A yoga block is the perfect tool, however a folded towel is also sufficient. Place the prop under the butt, or the hand of the arm you are reaching back to the floor with, which will help to keep the hips parallel (remember lateral symmetry is important in most of these hip dominant stretches).
So hit the floor and don't be afraid to twist!!
Theme song: "Twist it like a pepper grinder, twist it like a pepper grinder!!"
