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Original poster

How can I improve my posture?

36 replies

PeachOrca · 08/04/2025 08:03

Not sure where else to put this so I guess posting here for traffic.

I am 30 and have awful posture. I work at a desk full time, bur try take regular breaks and whenever I notice myself sitting poorly I correct myself. I am also regular stretch chest/shoulders at my desk too.

i used to see a chiropractor and physio regularly with the goal of improving my posture but didn’t seem to make much difference but did help with pain management. I currently do reformer Pilates 2x a week (since Jan) and walk about 30 mins to work everyday from the train station (with a reasonably heavy backpack).

This came to a head this week as last week I went on a work manufacturing trip with several colleagues. The company sent a photographer as they wanted to post on linked in. I purposefully tried to hold myself upright/tucked in knowing photos would be taken but seeing them yesterday my god I look awful- chin sticking so far forward and shoulders hunched and rounded.

Had anyone ever managed to correct their posture and how did you do it? I have ordered one of those shoulder braces from Amazon but keen to hear others experiences as I am worried it’s only going to get worse!

OP posts:
Original poster
PeachOrca · 08/04/2025 09:00

FreeSpiritPixie · 08/04/2025 08:53

Yoga! I started doing yoga daily since January and the difference is incredible. I usually do about 20-30min online video by myself at home, though some days it’s as little as 5min if I really struggle for time or as much as an hour if I have more spare time. I think it’s the regularity that’s making the change though as I always did yoga but just once or twice a week and now make sure I do it daily.

Okay this is interesting! I used to do yoga 1/2x a week as well but similar to Chiro didn’t notice huge improvements. I have a mat at home so I will try adding in some home videos around my Pilates classes

OP posts:
Original poster
PeachOrca · 08/04/2025 08:54

wwyd2021medicine · 08/04/2025 08:40

In a rush now but will look later - I remember some stretching exercises addressing shoulder muscles that become shortened over time with hunching over a desk. Exercises involved using a door frame to steady the shoulder when stretching.
I'll post if I find some this evening

Thank you 🙏🏻

OP posts:
Original poster
PeachOrca · 08/04/2025 08:54

TheBewleySisters · 08/04/2025 08:36

I’m not going to be very helpful, sorry, but your post reminded me of how good my posture was when younger as I was taught by nuns, who used to whack you on the back with a ruler if you slumped at your desk and make you sit up straight. Now I am ancient and beginning to stoop. I always admire good posture in others. I think it’s great that you are addressing it.

Amazing, maybe this is what I need… a nun hitting me with a ruler!

OP posts:
FreeSpiritPixie · 08/04/2025 08:53

Yoga! I started doing yoga daily since January and the difference is incredible. I usually do about 20-30min online video by myself at home, though some days it’s as little as 5min if I really struggle for time or as much as an hour if I have more spare time. I think it’s the regularity that’s making the change though as I always did yoga but just once or twice a week and now make sure I do it daily.

wwyd2021medicine · 08/04/2025 08:40

In a rush now but will look later - I remember some stretching exercises addressing shoulder muscles that become shortened over time with hunching over a desk. Exercises involved using a door frame to steady the shoulder when stretching.
I'll post if I find some this evening

TheBewleySisters · 08/04/2025 08:36

I’m not going to be very helpful, sorry, but your post reminded me of how good my posture was when younger as I was taught by nuns, who used to whack you on the back with a ruler if you slumped at your desk and make you sit up straight. Now I am ancient and beginning to stoop. I always admire good posture in others. I think it’s great that you are addressing it.

Fleetheart · 08/04/2025 08:27

yoga has helped me to stand up straighter

Ohthatsabitshit · 08/04/2025 08:26

I don’t know about Pilates but I think core strength and a good bra will help enormously.

EBearhug · 08/04/2025 08:26

I was going to say yoga or pikates.

If you can, go to a real class for a bit, so there is a teacher who can help you with positioning.

Original poster
PeachOrca · 08/04/2025 08:23

WulyJmpr · 08/04/2025 08:06

Pilates. Standard pilates. Focusing on core strength. This should be the trunk to hold up your spine. Think about one to one tuition or a beginners class so you can build up from the basics, using the correct techniques.

Thank you. Do you know much about Pilates? I thought reformer was a more intense/advanced version of mat Pilates but do you think it will not help my posture if I stick with reformer?

OP posts:
WulyJmpr · 08/04/2025 08:06

Pilates. Standard pilates. Focusing on core strength. This should be the trunk to hold up your spine. Think about one to one tuition or a beginners class so you can build up from the basics, using the correct techniques.