The Elegance of Good Posture
/
What is good posture? Moving your body with efficiency, ease, reduced discomfort and pain. This applies to both men and women, young or old. It is not just having a straight spine. In fact, you want to have curves in your spine to allow for shock absorption. You can train your body to have natural curves, agility and ease. Here are the five keys to good posture.
Do Pilates. The principals of Pilates will strengthen your spine by working the muscles that pull your shoulders back, flatten your abdominals, close your rib cage, engage your glutes and elongate your neck.
Sit up Straight. Your workstation and car seats need to be ergonomically set. Your monitor at eye level, feet planted on the floor. Even adjusting the mirrors in your car. Sit in your best upright posture and adjust your mirrors. This will force you to lengthen your spine and especially your neck to see your rear and side mirrors!
Fix your sleep position. Pay attention to how you are sleeping. Here it is worth the investment for a high-quality mattress. Your pillow should be high enough to keep the neck and back straight. You do not want your head pushed forward. Here the cervical spine, (your neck), should follow your thoracic spine, (your back). Even in normal everyday movements, I tell my clients the head should be in line with the spine.
Mind Body Awareness. Pay attention to how you feel. Do you feel sleepy or bored? Or are you alert and engaged? It is your posture! Good posture also allows you to breathe better as you are able to take a fuller breath by not compressing your chest when slouching. Deep full breaths mean more oxygen to your lungs, more blood to your brain which will result in better focus.
Feel and Look Better. If you are in a meeting whether you are standing or sitting and your posture is in alignment, you will get more out of what you are doing with your focused attention. It may be a situation where you get the job, get that raise, close the deal, make more friends and influence people. Whatever the case may be, good posture will help you achieve your goal in that moment and in general.
In conclusion, having good posture clearly has many benefits and we could all benefit from improving our posture. Feel better, look better and move with more confidence and ease. Pilates is one of the most profound ways to improve your posture and your life. Pilates works for every body. So, sit up straight and schedule your Pilates lesson today.