What is good posture?
AsSELF has previously reported, posture refers to your bodys alignment at any given moment.
Finding a solid pelvic-neutral position will help the rest of your body.
Katie Thompson
To do that while seated, first sit in a chair, feet flat on the floor.
Sit up tall and engage your abdominal muscles.
(Heres exactly how to activate your core if youre not sure.)
You might naturally have a slight arch, and thats okay as long as it feels comfortable.
Then focus on your shoulders.
You want a nice relaxed shoulder retraction, Dr. Higgins says.
That means keeping the shoulders relaxed so that your shoulder blades are in place comfortably in the mid-back.
Standing is somewhat similar, he says.
Your feet are planted, and you first need to control that pelvis.
Why is good posture important?
When you have bad posture, you end up putting extra stress on your joints and muscles.
By maintaining good posture, you’ll ultimately be able to move better.
What makes a good posture exercise?
If you cant control the pelvis, the upper back stuff wont matter, Dr. Higgins says.
They impact each other.
But compromising your low back for seemingly good posture isnt doing you any favors.
Easy posture exercises
Dr. Higgins recommends the below exercises for improving posture.
The bodyweight-only moves on this list are great additions to anydynamic warm-upor cool-down, too.
This supine marching exercise builds strength in the abdominals, hip flexors, and stabilizing muscles of the back.
This move loops in hip and shoulder mobility too.
It trains you to maintain an upright posture as you move and carry weight.
Keep your entire core engaged as you drive each knee up toward your hands.
It also works the shoulders and biceps, which help you perform the pulling motion.
