The traditional model of 'good' posture is a 2D approach (e.g. align this bone over this one) when we are 3D beings. We've all seen the poster in the doctor's office of the skeletal system, depicting a skeleton hanging by a hook. We then extrapolate this image to posture thinking we need to stack certain joints on top of one another--feet under hips, hips under ribs, ear lobe over shoulder. Thing is, we don't dangle from hooks, and while we connect to the ground, we're also constantly moving. So, we need a 21st century update to our ideas of posture, including how it connects with the breath and grounding.
How should I stand?
In the past, most of us were taught that good posture means locking our knees, straightening our back, pulling our shoulder blades together and puffing out our chest. How we were supposed to do this and breathe, I'm not sure. Moreover, this model attepts to make the spine straight when it's really shaped more like an S. Tapping into that S idea, and that our body tissues move more like a spring with each step, lends to a more organic posture with greater ease of movement.
What is good posture?
I see the body as a series of archways and that those archways, or diaphragms, act as suspension bridges and shock absorbers.
Strengthening the arch of the foot supports these archways.
- Arch of the foot.
- Arch of the pelvis at the groin.
- Arch of the breath diaphragm at the rib cage.
- Arch of the throat.
- Arch of the eyes/brain.
To me, good posture involves dynamic interaction between each of these areas. I say dynamic, because once again, we're not usually standing (or sitting) completely still. At a minimum, you're breathing, which means one of these diaphragms is always moving.
If you begin to stand and move with the visual of a bunch of suspension bridges instead of a sky hook, stacked bricks or stiff rods, your movement will be easier with alignment. You can practice this while standing and pretend like you're internally lifting your rib cage (on an inhalation) off of your pelvis--not puffing your chest out, but a 360 degree lift. You should feel your core turn on a bit and support your spine. Maintain that lift and breathe as you walk--can you feel that there's a buoyancy to your movement? That's your body moving through its diaphragms! Over time, not only will you have better posture from a state of ease rather than holding, you'll be using your core how it's supposed to be used--keeping you upright. You may even notice some new ab definition in as little as a couple of weeks.
If you didn't feel that buoyancy, you might be holding some tension at one of those diaphragms. This is where an objective pair of eyes (mine) can help you figure out where you're unconsciously holding tension, loosen things up and then you can feel more flexible and move from your core all day!
For a 3D explanation of posture (instead of just text). Here's a video for you:
Take this new feeling into your walk!
Once you feel your diaphragms, you can then tap into that buoyancy in the body as you walk. The ground becomes another 'diaphragm' and we sort of float or even gently bounce forward instead of pounding the pavement. I call it the Tigger Effect. It feels lovely! Here's an eplanation of that sensation and how to feel it when you walk. Using equipment that is spring-based, like Pilates, helps immensely to feel this and integrate it into your body. Contact me for an appointment for more personalized help on improving your posture and gait.
