Posture: An Exercise For Everyone
(Or How to Look Ten Pounds Lighter)

This day and age everyone seems to be fixated on looking thinner. Even though diet and exercise play an important part in that equation, something as simple as good posture can make you appear to be ten pounds lighter. Good posture brings to mind someone who is self-confident, proud and strong. Unfortunately, gravity and the demands we put on our bodies pulls us out of good posture throughout the day. Carrying heavy book bags, purses, luggage and sitting all day behind desks and computers help to create muscular imbalances.

Good posture or "neutral spinal alignment" is the posture that minimizes excessive stress on the spine and soft tissues; therefore, good posture not only makes us look better, but also is crucial to the healthy integrity of our bodies. In neutral posture there is a slight inward curve at the neck and low back with a slight outward curve of the mid-back. Observing the body from the side, think of a plumb line running from ear, to shoulder, to hip, to ankle.

Good posture is a physical skill, just like any other, that requires practice and training. Maintaining neutral alignment is the safest position for sitting, standing and lifting. Therefore, one of the most important exercises that anyone can do is to practice sitting and standing straight, shoulders pulled back and down, but not pinched, with the navel slightly pulled into the spine. Looking in the mirror, shoulders and hips should be level and parallel to the floor, the knee joints level and facing forward, thumb side of hands facing forward and weight equally distributed on all four corners of the feet. In yoga, this is known as "Mountain Pose", so think of that visual — strong, stable and grounded.

Muscles seldom function in real life in isolation, they must work together with other muscles and it helps to have a strong foundation of stable posture. So stand in good posture and get used to people asking if you've lost weight!

     –Jan Crerie