Posture

[phantomcg]

I used to have very good posture but somewhere along the line I have gotten away from it. When we first met my DH mentioned to me how impressed he was with my posture. I really want to improve my posture again and was wondering what kind of hints, exercises, etc some of you may have. When I think about it, it's not too hard to stand or sit straight, but once my mind is elsewhere bad habits surface again.

Thanks

Cheryl

I did read the thread from about a month ago, but I wondered if anyone else had any ideas.

[This message has been edited by phantomcg (edited 02-23-2001).]

[pammy]

Cheryl, I am not entirely sure what was talked about in the previous thread, but I can't help putting in a pitch for yoga to improve your posture. Because there is so much emphasis on proper technique for breathing and body alignment, you become much more aware of how you are holding yourself at all times when you regularly practice yoga. There are many forms out there, I practice astanga which is a great workout.

[mightyh]

My vote is for pilates... I have the Denise Austin Pilates/yoga tape and think it has really improved my posture. The workout (20 minutes) is not only soothing and doesn't get me too sweaty (a big plus), but focuses on your "core muscles"--your back and abs and lengthening your spine. As Denise says during the tape--"Makes you feel an inch taller.."

http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

PS - normally I am not a Denisa Austin fan cause she's too perky for me, but this tape is not as over the top...

[ChefChris]

One trick my Mom always told me was to "tuck your hips under!" I have heard this my whole life and I have been told I have good posture, so I guess it works. She was voted "Posture Queen" in high school. No kidding! (She lived in Canada at the time)
Squeezing your shoulder blades together and lifting your chest up from the sternum so that you feel like you are opening up your chest also helps.

Chris

mightyh--I am glad to hear the Denise tape is good. I have it and have not tried it yet. I am very interested in trying pilates or yoga that would strengthen/lenghten musles so I am looking forward to this.

[phantomcg]

Thanks everyone for your input. Sorry that I didn't reply earlier, but my home computer seems to have caught a virus and won't let me access the web.

I'm going to look into both pilates and yoga. I have noticed a difference with using a couple of "The Firm" tapes and I'm hoping that as I become stronger better posture will become natural again. I also just ordered a new set of Tae Bo tapes. I've never done Tae Bo before, but I always thought it looked like fun and these come with a 30 day money back guarantee, so if I don't like it, I'm not out anything.

Thanks again,

Cheryl