Remember Your Posture
April 10, 2008
For the past week and a half, I have been more aware of my posture in preparation for this blog.
As a result of remembering to not shrug, my back and neck hurt less, and I am quite possibly the 5′-8″ that I claim to be. Certain aspects of my girlish figure are more noticeable. Haha. Now that I think of it… I believe my desire to not be stared at led me to shrug a lot as a young girl. I might be over that…
My reason for raising posture awareness is simple. Slouching creates pain in your body, makes your breathing shallow, and just plain makes you look bad. Dowdy and Doofy. Americans in general have lazy spines and weak backs.
Whether you are sitting or standing, you are most likely hunching your shoulders and letting your head hang forward.
It’s time to stop doing that! One day you won’t have the option to straighten up.
Important Moments to Remember Your Posture
Sitting:
At the table while eating (I tend to hunch while eating)
At the computer/desk (Typing, reading, video games, computer programming, designing kitchens…)
In the car (Stop leaning forward… the headrest is there for your comfort)
On the floor (Why are you on the floor? Perhaps you should meditate.)
On the sofa (tv watchers beware of your Couch Slouch!)
On the toilet (Yes- weird to mention, but seriously, who sits totally upright on the toilet??)
Standing:
Waiting for anything… I think people forget their bodies and zone out
In the shower (Do you kind of duck your head out of the water like I do? This has been a difficult habit to break)
While playing a musical instrument (Don’t look down so much)
While cashiering, doing chemistry experiments, or doing any job requiring long-term standing (I used to be a cashier… it’s really hard to stand up straight all day… perhaps you would liken that to a light form of torture that you get paid for willingly participating in- nevermind. I digress.)
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HOW do you remember your posture all day long? You probably won’t. Becoming more aware of the way in which you hold yourself will cause you to catch yourself. I would say that I catch myself slouching or hunching about 7-8 times a day. Make an effort to remember. Become aware.
When you remember your posture, slowly bring your body into an upright position. Allow yourself to feel each vertebra. It’s almost like slowly stacking each one on top of the other, which should allow a small cushion of air to come between them. This way, the vertebrae will not feel compressed. Once you reach your neck, begin to imagine that you have a string coming out the top of your head, gently pulling your head up. This should bring your body into its full height.
In conclusion, straighten those spines! Let go of some of your aches and pains, let the air flow more freely into your lungs, and look more attractive. It’s better for everyone. 
Take care of you.
Namaste
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