Posture ...

Submitted by takecare on July 30, 2012 - 8:44am
Body: 

Aside from the WW posture at all times standing, sitting walking ... I have found it is now such a part of me that even in a reclining chair I maintain a lumbar curve ... today I also spent some time in the sunshine, laying down on the grass - on my back and tummy - and constant awareness of the gentle curve being maintained.

What I have found is that I do this because it has become second nature to always check myself ... when I lay on my side in bed, I also have it ... going to the toilet I maintain the lumbar curve - I know at first that seemed so strange.

Even though it probably doesn't matter so much to the prolapses when lying down, it is that mental image of the organs being housed more forward than up and down ...

After many months of adopting this posture, what I am finding is that aside from the POP changes ... it has enabled me to have a lot more flexibility and stability through the pelvis ... One would think with tight ligaments and rigid hips that the pelvis is more protected, however I feel the posture is helping me to stop 'guarding' myself as in the past. I would guard my hips and pelvis as I have had so many problems with disc degeneration, public bone separation, scoliosis, etc.

I think I would find it weird to suck my stomach in and tuck my butt under now ... and yet when I first started I had a lot of pain and discomfort. I also had terrible tailbone pain before adopting the posture .. I am never sitting on my tailbone now and I am hoping the discs have been given a reprieve by being nicely stretched out.

Thank you.

Forum:

Christine

July 30, 2012 - 9:13am

Thank you, Takecare, for giving us this wonderful testimonial of the total-body healing power of WW posture. Louise and I were mentioning some time ago...”How did we even go around sucked in and tucked under like that!” I am forever pulling into the posture too, although I do crash out against pillows in bed when exhausted. Maybe it’s an excuse, but there are times I still have to work (writing), but feel I must lie down as well. I know it’s bad for me and I always end up in pain, but we can only do what we can do. I am so impressed by the strength and will so many of you have developed. The healing nature of the posture cannot be overstated. When I sit up again - usually cross-legged at my computer - everything is realigned and I re-gain the strength that is sometimes lost from an off-day. The same is true for WW exercise. A level of strength and alignment develops that is very persistent - meaning that everything can atrophy over a few off days or weeks and be easily regained because I am living in this posture - so have an constant baseline of strength and correct alignment. I have no doubt we will all be living in our natural shape to the end of our lives. Once you have it, there’s no letting it go.

MsNightingale

July 30, 2012 - 9:17am

I am so happy that you posted this. It is wonderful to read and to hear your success through your words. Obviously it is a tribute to Christine and to your own hard work! Thank you for sharing this.

takecare

July 30, 2012 - 9:43am

Woops - sorry not public bone ... pubic bone!

Another benefit from this WW whole body posture ... is: breathing.

I have always been a shallow breather ... I wonder why - but if you suck your tummy in - how can you breathe deep into your diaphragm? Now when I am chest up, shoulders down, gentle tummy and lumbar curve - the deep breath is effortless. I think women didn't breathe deeply because it made their middle appear bigger ... the posture allows you the space to take the breath without affecting your shape.

It is such an essential part of stress relief to breathe properly ...

I believe after the horrendous birth and subsequent trauma I had - that there was a lot of adhesions, scarring, tight ligaments - and even though the pain and discomfort is still there at times - it is more transient and gives me hope for the future after some very dark times.

louiseds

July 30, 2012 - 8:32pm

It is a glass half full / glass half empty thing. You can still quench your thirst with bottom half a glass of water, but you can't with the top half of the glass which contains no water.

Surviving60

July 31, 2012 - 11:10am

Thanks Takecare for wonderful inspiring post. You have many health issues and this is such a good reminder for ALL of us (regardless of our issues) that this is the work of a lifetime. Even now, into my 3rd year, I am finding ways to protect my lumbar curve that I was totally ignoring before. We jumped on the right train, and we aren't getting off. - Surviving

alemama

July 31, 2012 - 7:48pm

try this:
in bed on your side. on the edge of the bed is your computer. you are at a diagonal in the bed. Pillow between your knees. Right elbow resting on your belly, left elbow hanging off the bed- pillows arranged just so behind your head.
That's how I make it work so that I can type and rest in bed.