Lower back pain

More experienced people will come along but I wouldn't tighten your glutes or bottom. I would think if your sure your not forcing the curve it may just be you didn't have much before and your body may ache if you change it suddenly. Very hard to know but how long have you had the ache? I got it but wore off pretty quickly. Take care

I too would have to ask how long you have been trying to actively live in the posture (not just walking but all day long) and when this pain started. Most of us feel it a bit at the beginning. Don't try to force that curvature, but let the relaxed belly and lifted chest take care of it. I can't imagine trying to tighten the glutes and thighs while doing this. Stick to the posture elements as defined by Christine, don't overdo, and don't force. - Surviving

I suggest not doing any exercises for awhile, other than nice relaxed mindful posture walking, with NO tightening of the butt or thighs. - Surviving

PS, I do recommend you try the hips dvd when you get it. And read some of Aussie Soul Sister's posts about how it alleviated her pain.

I also think maybe a break might be good, when I first started the posture I found my back ached a bit when walking, I just told myself that my body was adjusting to a new way, trying to get used to not sucking my tummy in and not tucking my bum in like I had always been told. One thing that causes pain with any muscle in our body is stress, try not to stress about it, it will eventually come naturally to you honest, I am just a relative newbie to WW but I know I stressed way too much in the beginning, it feels silly now, I just tried my best everyday to walk as much and as long as possible in posture as possible, tried to stay in posture while sitting as well which for me was the very hardest to do, but it all became second nature within a short few months, you will win this battle, if you hurt, take a break, but do the exercises as well, they will strengthen the muscles needed to maintain the posture, the stretches and pelvic rocks, all help with my back pain, take care, best wishes,

Hi Dear steadele,
I'm sorry I didn't post a reply to you.
I am a great believer that the Hips DVD is useful for Everyone as we all are unbalanced with our left and right sides - some of that is due to our handedness and which side we use more, but I was so out of balance that all my weight was going to my right side and that side even though I would have said was my stronger, it has turned out to be weaker in that it was more prone to hip instability and illnesses, and some soreness like in my arm when doing exercises. I would regularly stand on my right leg with most of my weight, and even sit in the car and elsewhere on my right buttock - the things we do unconsciously! Body awareness is another wonderful benefit of WW.

As to hip/back pain etc initially when doing the posture I had some discomfort in my back and particularly in the mornings needed to be careful not to injure my back if and while it was stiff.

When I started the hips DVD it took time to straighten out my limbs and carry weight comfortably on each hip during the box exercises.

While my hips and body were adjusting to the exercises, I did go walking and was surprised and a bit daunted that both hips played up - impinging and I also have the tendon snapping on my right.

The footpaths I was walking on slope so that I was not walking flat - up on one side. The trouble with my left hip made me realize how my whole body was adjusting. It really seemed to only happen on this cantilever and thankfully no more instability at the shopping centers. For years I would have to stop or hobble to the side and bring my knee up and across my belly to "fix" the hip joint - not a good look while out shopping!
Walking again this week regularly and on the same footpaths - I now have NO PROBLEM and hips are doing fabulously. I do get the occasional ache but that can be driving or sitting too long, or eating raw tomato...

With fire breathing on all fours, which is in the hips DVD I can now gauge how tight the muscles are on the back of the right side of my pelvis - they are so much improved. I still have to observe that I don't tighten my lower bottom muscles as I wash up - do it so much less now - those muscles are still a work in progress. My upper bottom is now nicely rounded & stronger.

The foot arch exercises have helped to "ground" me evenly and I am so much more sure footed and balanced. They have strengthened my ankles, helping my right ankle with an old injury...

The upper body exercises have strengthened my neck and torso,given me more of a waist which was uneven, strengthened my hands, wrists ( I have added some weights), arms and shoulders so that I can carry the posture better with my chest lifted. I can belly breath better, my belly button is now smaller and the muscle wall is strong under some cuddly bits!
My inner ear balance is 97% better & the benefits go on and on...

There is a link to my initial story

http://wholewoman.com/forum/node/6204

Wishing you all the very best particularly with alleviating your pain.
Aussie Soul Sister

PS when you are logged in you can click on your own name or someone else next to their posts, or on the forums, recent posts etc and see your own or their history, and click on "track" to see where they have posted. If they are the author or have posted the last post on a thread it is easier to find what they have written. Key words searched can be helpful too - getting the precise key words can be the challenge.... XXOO

Dear steadele,
I believe that inflammatory issues are helped by WW - I have some that seem to be hereditary, however WW is helping me to listen and read my body and work out how to alleviate my allergies.

WWP is holistic so lessening symptoms could be the more relaxed posture that is WW - allowing the body to function without restriction with the abdominal organs, heart and lungs, circulation and joints having the room to work properly.

Belly breathing is relaxing, spiritual and massages the organs also.
There is less tension in the head and neck also and the Whole posture is energy conserving.
Along with that there is an empowerment when we are in our natural shape.

Having had the opportunity to observe an animal lately, they are completely relaxed and only use the muscles that they need to do something like play or jump and run. They also live in their natural posture, and live in the moment.
The Whole Woman Way to Vulva Vaginal Health has comprehensive advice on an anti - inflammatory foods and herbs to help with the process.

WW has become very much a spiritual journey for me

All the Best,
Aussie Soul Sister