Good Posture: What Is It And How Do I Get It?

Good posture, we are always being told, is good for your health, great for your image and will prevent many aches, pains and sporting injuries. But what is it? How do you define it? And how do you get it?

Posture has long been considered important, even our language recognises its desirability. We may refer to someone who is trustworthy as being upright or a pillar of the community, whereas spineless tells us the opposite.

good posture

The recognition to the importance of posture has resulted in many exercises and corrective programs to achieve it. However, I believe exercise is not the way to get a good shape.

So What Is A good posture?

Let's get one thing clear. Good posture is NOT about standing or sitting up straight. This is just tightening your back and leg muscles and forcing yourself into a rigid position.

Compare the different sitting positions in the photographs below.

sitting postures

Slouched v. Poised v. Forced sitting

Click here to see video of correcting your sitting posture

The ideal sitting posture (in the center) puts far less strain on the neck, shoulders and back. The 'forced' and 'slouched' postures require more muscular effort than poised sitting. The subject in the photo will not be able to breathe well in both the slouched and forced posture because she will restrict the movement of her ribcage.

The poised sitting posture allows for good breathing because the spine is passing the weight of her head into the chair and enabling her ribs to move freely. She will not have to try and breathe properly - because she will already be doing so!

To learn how to sit poised you will need to stop doing the things that prevent you from sitting poised. You may be surprised that some of these include conventional advice on sitting properly.

tightening the lower back in order to sit straight

dropping the head forward and collapsing the back

throwing the shoulders back

crossing your legs

tucking your legs under the chair

To sit poised, be aware of the following:-

the location of where your head sits on the spine click here

your neck does not support the weight of your head - the chair does

the movement of your ribs

if your ribs are not moving sideways, you are not poised

think of releasing up the front of your body

let the chair push you upwards

These thoughts will bring about a subtle change in your body's muscles as they respond to how you think about your position and gravity. A good body shape is attained by NOT trying. A simple truth is that we don't know what good posture feels like - if we did we would already have it!

FREE Online Course For Your Posture
Many adults unknowingly develop the habit of using excessive effort even for doing simple actions such as sitting and standing. The unnecessary stress placed upon your body will affect your posture. My FREE Body Awareness Course could help you to recognize these poor habits and allow you to move with minimal effort and allow your body to get back its poise. This course consists of 5 lessons to help you reduce the stresses and strains you unknowingly put upon your body. Everyone completing the course will receive a 50% discount off my most popular program!

To get your course please click FREE posture program

FREE POSTURE GUIDE

I'm sure you will know that good posture is essential for your health and well-being, but what is good posture? Now you can check your own without high tech equipment with this 24 page step-by-step guide, now available to download free.

To get your copy please click here

How to sit at your PC without stress
If you spend many hours a day sitting in front of your PC, correct posture is essential. But beware, you do not get it right by trying to sit up straight!

How to get good posture without having to exercise

I have written this program to help you attain good posture without the need to exercise. I believe exercises will not ultimately help your posture because they use muscles in a way nature didn't design them for. That is, focusing on individual muscles with movements that have nothing in common with poise and natural actions. It is possible to learn how to prevent interference with your body's natural postural reflexes through simple procedures. When you can do this you will suddenly find you have a good posture and all the benefits that go with it! For more information click here

More On Posture ....

Bad Posture: How Do We Get Into This Shape?

Do Posture Exercises Cause More Harm Than Good?

Posture: Have We Got It Wrong?

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Want to ask a question?
My view as an Alexander Technique teacher is different to the conventional concept of good posture. If there is anything on this page that you would like to follow up please feel free to contact me