Posture and breathing

Body: 

Hi All

I think I have discovered a useful technique for getting into posture.

When you think you are in posture take a slow, deep breath through your nose, down deep into your belly (which should relax your rectus abdominus muscles) then keep breathing in to the point where your chest rises, your thoracic spinal curve straightens out a bit and your shoulders move backwards slightly.

Now breathe out through your nose, relaxing your diaphragm, and consciously let your shoulders melt until they are completely relaxed. Watch in the mirror as you exhale far enough for your chest to be at rest, then continue to breathe normally with a relzxed belly. My chest opened further and my shoulders found a new resting place, slightly further back and down, but my belly was 'proud holding'.

It is very relaxing overall.

Tell me what you think.

Louise

Hi Louise,

Thank you for this insight - I think it’s a very useful tip, especially for people who have tight shoulders.

I haven’t been very active for the past three weeks since coming down with some major crud...am still sniffling and coughing. Today was the first day I felt like cooking a big family dinner and puttering around the house. You know, at this age you can really get out of shape in three weeks!

The one thing I did was pull strongly into the posture throughout the day - and it is such a marvelous thing that Just That is adequate exercise to start on the road back to health. I enjoyed bending all the way down, reaching all the way up, and just walking from room to room “pulled up”.

Posture is every bit as important as diet. In fact, I believe the energy that sustains us can only flow in a healthy way when we’re in our rightful shape.

Cheers,

Christine