Have you ever noticed how when certain people enter a room they just grab your attention? There's something about them. Over the years one thing I've noted is that a person's POSTURE makes an enormous impact on how they are received. It doesn't matter so much what one looks like -- people of every shape and size simply look better with great posture.
When I work with a client I always do a postural analysis so I can design a program that improves their posture, if necessary. Here are three quick "posture-checks" that will make sure that you are doing what your Mom told you... stand up straight!
1. TOSS THOSE SHOULDERS BACK A LITTLE! Invariably our shoulders roll forward over time. Aging, and sitting hunched over computers and steering wheels are some of the culprits. We need to strengthen the muscle groups that draw our shoulder blades together and stretch open the muscles in the front of our shoulders and chest to counter this. But a simple adjustment of subtly drawing the shoulder blades slightly together and dropping them down the back a little can work wonders for the appearance of your posture. (Don't exaggerate it or you'll look like you're posing for a men's magazine!)
2. DRAW YOUR NOSE BACK AN INCH. Many people also tend to lead movement from their head. We intuitively pop our heads forward a bit. Try circling your hands straight up to the ceiling and ease into a very subtle extension of the spine -- let's call it a teeny tiny back-bend. Look up with your eyes just slightly but keep your chin level. Carefully let your arms drop without moving your head forward. I'd bet your head is just about exactly where it needs to be... about an inch further back then we tend to carry it.
3. ENGAGE YOUR CORE. It's a near constant challenge to remind ourselves to draw the abdominal muscles in but it definitely works to keep one standing taller. The trick is to draw the core in but keep the breath flowing. Sometimes we revert to that notion of "sucking it in" and we simultaneously hold our breath. Holing your breath is not a good look... even if you have good posture! :) Engage and breathe!
Try these three tricks for picture perfect posture and heads will turn!
