Improving posture?

seamus

Right, this may not be the perfect forum for this, but I'm sure many readers here have or had this problem.

My posture can be really bad. It has improved a little, but it can still be very bad looking. When I'm standing or sitting still I think I mostly correct myself, but when I'm walking or running I can be very hunched over, I only notice when I walk by windows! It's always been like this, probably because of my weight, but since losing most of it I think I'm doing myself a disservice, and my poor posture makes me look slightly bigger than I am.

Tips?

28064212

I used to have very bad posture as well. Not great now, but better. TBH the only way I know to improve it is to constantly think about. Everytime you sit down, put your back straight against the chair. When you're walking, just force yourself to stand upright. Don't know if there's much else you can do

BrianD3

I don't know if it has anything to do with being overweight. I have always been thin and have always had bad posture when walking. This looks awkward and unattractive.

I think bad posture may be due to lack of confidence more than anything physical. I can totally relate to the "walking past windows" comment

Einstein

hunched shoulders can actually be fixed quite easily.
Essentially what it is is that the Pec muscles have become short and tight, thereofre pulling your shoulders slightly forward. The opposing muscles on your back, like trapezius etc, can therefore be inhibited, long and weak.
Remedial Massage on the chest area and the shoulders/back area will be a huge benefit.
Massage will relax/tone the pec muscles to the normal resting length, and work on the shoulders/upper back will do the same, bringing postural muscles back to their normal position.

D...

joejoem

yoga apperantly or pilates!

poobum

try when you are walking to hold your hands behind your back! that worked for me as a kid i had horrible posture untill my dad told me to do that! now its great! took ages to get right do...

amazingemmet

Pilates is good, But personally i recommend the alexander technique to fix your posture. I'm not sure of your location so can't point you in the direction of teachers but if you just google there'll be someone near enough to you i reckon.

try here for some info about it: http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm

soma

amazingemmet wrote:

Pilates is good, But personally i recommend the alexander technique to fix your posture.

Was about to post myself re:alexander technique - Ive never tried it myself but
it's on my list of things to try... :rolleyes: as I too have poor posture (altho I think it's alot better now that I lift weights regularly) - locating a teacher in ireland (there are a few) and having a few 'lessons' might the way to go.

Anyone here actually taken A.T. lessons..? Opinions etc..?

amazingemmet

Yeah i've done a bit of alexander not over here though so can't reccomend any teachers.
But its definitely worth it. fixed all my years of slouching

DrIndy

It can become a problem if you get backache as a result. You can get "posture chairs" which you can use if you sit a lot at a computer. Unless you sit upright in them at all times, you fall off them, thus forcing you to maintain good posture.....

-ADREN-

amazingemmet wrote:

Pilates is good, But personally i recommend the alexander technique to fix your posture. I'm not sure of your location so can't point you in the direction of teachers but if you just google there'll be someone near enough to you i reckon.

try here for some info about it: http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm

Aye the Alexander tech, is quite good went to a few classes, (because of my rsi injury in my arms due to piano playing), and noticed a few improvements, but me being me didnt keep up with the work and technique involved, its hard work. I do intend to start it up again.... *ugh god come on coz, get it together *

-Coz.

yak_kadafi

28064212 wrote:

I used to have very bad posture as well. Not great now, but better. TBH the only way I know to improve it is to constantly think about. Everytime you sit down, put your back straight against the chair. When you're walking, just force yourself to stand upright. Don't know if there's much else you can do

totally agree with you..its the only way that i was able to change mine....thinkin about it 24/7

pwd

deadlifts

tai chi chuan

rainglow

Have to agree with what has been said here already - Pilates and the Alexander technique. My ex-boyfriend used to do the Alexander technique when he was a kid which really helped him, and I practise Pilates which really teaches you to hold yourself properly.

If you're not looking to do any kind of classes/ courses, you can do a couple of simple things to show you how you *should* be standing and walking. If you stand with your back to a wall, your heels, backside and shoulders should all be touching the wall. If you're shoulders aren't touching it, you're slouching. Also, when you're walking imagine that there's a string attached to the top of your head and that it's been pulled vertically upwards all the time. Sounds a bit demented when written down but try it! The straighter you walk the taller and leaner you look and it's better for you as it forces your abs and lower back muscles to engage - well worth the effort

nobodythere

I don't know about you, but when somebody says the word posture I automatically start to sit up straight... So to get used to having decent posture I used to do things like write the word posture on my hands, set reminders on my phone, put a post-it note on the monitor etc.