08/14/2026
15. Mermaid đ§đžââď¸
It becomes less about âdoing Mermaidâ and more about using Mermaid as a movement tool: assess where the body needs space, establish stability, then progressively add range, rotation, and extension.
Mermaid brings together some of the bodyâs most important movement relationships: the ability to bend, rotate, reach, and extend without losing connection to the centre. It builds functional mobility while strengthening the muscles that stabilize the spine, shoulders, and pelvis, helping the body move with more freedom and control.
Mermaid doesnât have to be taught as one fixed exercise. Think of it as a mobility pathway that can be layered throughout the session depending on what the body needs. Because the movement can be broken down into lateral flexion, rotation, and extension, each version gives you a different opportunity to prepare the body for what comes next.
When you want to prepare the body for more three-dimensional spinal movement, add rotation. Rather than chasing range, use the rotation to teach the ribs and pelvis to move in relationship to one another while the trunk remains organized.
Then layer in extension when the body is ready for more load and range. The goal is not simply to lift the chest, but to distribute extension through the spine while keeping the pelvis, ribs, and shoulders connected. This makes Mermaid an excellent preparation for exercises that require spinal extension, shoulder opening, and increased anterior-body length.
Snippets from our NDP Teacher Training manual, A Study In Patterns, Vol. 2.
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