ELDOA is an acronym from French words, which in English translate to longitudinal osteoarticular decoaptation stretches. "Osteoarticular" means bones and joints, "decoaptation" means opening, and ELDOA is the name of both the method and the postures involved.

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Each posture, or ELDOA, is carefully designed to "create space" within a precise joint or a segment of the spine using myofascial tension and muscle contraction. By creating myofascial tension (tension in the fascia), the ELDOA can affect the tissue, ligaments, nervous tissues, and organs associated with that joint or spinal segment. There are ELDOAs for the spine, shoulders, hips, ribs, and skull.

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Getting into the postures isn't hard, but holding them feels challenging, and precision is important. Scott Herrera, director of the ELDOA program and lead instructor at Legacy Sport and Wellness Center in Dallas, says a common sentiment among first-time ELDOA students is "that's one of the hardest workouts I've ever done and I feel amazing afterward."