Yoga is Great Posture Exercise

Posture recently crossed my mind, for the first time in ages.  I was walking along a DC street and caught sight of myself in a shop window. It was a revelation. I stood tall, head over shoulders, with a neutral spine – and it was all thanks to my yoga.

In the back of our mind we tend to have a tickling feeling that we are slumped over over too much of the day. It’s modern life! Our shoulders become rounded through driving or sitting at a desk. Our head pokes forward towards our phone or our computer in what has become know as text neck. It only gets worse, the older we get, possibly even leading to the hump in the back -hyperkyphosis. Bad posture does take a toll on the body – but don’t panic!

Just small adjustments and a minimal amount of time can make long-run differences.

The problem with poor posture is its long term effects – but your posture isn’t rigid. Becoming tuned into how your body is holding itself and giving it a boost with yoga will really enhance your long-run wellbeing – both physical and emotional.

Move over forward head and slumped shoulders –
yoga helps bad posture

I didn’t really notice the change in how I stood – that yoga absolutely helps  my posture – until I caught that glimpse in a shop window. I looked so lovely and erect – and my head was in line with my body. Then I noticed how good it felt and I tuned into the different way my body carried itself.  It felt like it had more space. Yoga also gave me more of a sense of my spine – my shoulders – my head – are in space. This is called proprioception and something we don’t think about a lot. Now I’m overtly aware of how I hold myself, and not just when walking.

It takes just a few minutes

Take five or ten minutes my lovelies – that’s all it takes. Do some yoga throughout the day – at your desk, in your recliner and even at a traffic light! Perhaps you want to set a mediation bell, as a reminder. Your body will feel better – and most likely your spirits too.

Find out more about me and get in touch! Let me know about your frustrations and how how yoga might – or might not have helped.

Keeping poised

• When sitting:
  • your hips should hit the back and your knees should hit the seat of the sofa or chair.
    • If you’re slouching back to the back of your sofa, use a cushion
    • if you’re short, put your feet up on a stool or pouf
• When working at a computer:
  • The screen should be at eye level or placed so you’re slightly looking down.
  • Forearms should be parallel to the ground when typing
• When sleeping:
  • It’s better to sleep on your back or your side, avoid your stomach
  • Have one pillow under your head – don’t pile them up.

A few articles on posture and health

From Harvard 

How Does Yoga Help Reverse Hyperkyphosis?

Age-Related Hyperkyphosis: Its Causes, Consequences, and Management

Interested in going deeper? Find out more info about working with me
https://bit.ly/stepintonewnormal
or email me antonia@newlandscapeyoga.com