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Original poster

Any tips to improve my posture?

14 replies

Angiel · 13/09/2003 09:26

I have always been round shouldered, and just recently have become even more aware of just how much I slouch.

I try to remind myself to stand up straight but it gives me back ache.

I'm scared that I'm going to end up with a Dowager's Hump and I wondered if I can put right 33 years of slouching.

Any advice on how I can get myself a bit more upright?

OP posts:

kmg1 · 13/09/2003 09:34

The Alexander Technique is fantastic - teaches you to be aware of your posture all the time. I did a short group course through community education, and it resolved my long-term backache. Private/individual lessons can be very expensive, but would certainly be even better. (You can get books on AT - but you couldn't possibly teach yourself; you need a good instructor).

Jimjams · 13/09/2003 10:39

I was going to say Alexander Technique as well. I had some sessions about 10 years ago when my back was bad. It was veyr relaxing as well.

CountessDracula · 13/09/2003 14:20

Angiel do you work at a desk? If so get a back chair (one where you fold your legs back under you) as this corrects slouching. Has done wonders for my back, and I got mine for £20 in cancer research shop.

CountessDracula · 13/09/2003 14:35

Oh and Pilates helped me too

Spod · 13/09/2003 17:34

make sure you have proper lumbar support when sitting ... when standing make sure your weight is equally distributed between both feet... practice shifting weight from one foot to other without feet leaving ground. make sure shouders, hips, knees and ankles are aligned when standing. Pilates teaches all this... i found it really good for posture stuff... can take group classes - try local adult ed centre or local gym. Once you've been to half a dozen and have learnt the principles of how it works can do it home alone. great for body tone and general muscle strength too.

maomao · 13/09/2003 17:45

Countess Dracula, do you like Pilates? And also, is it expensive? Something I've always wanted to try, but always thought of it as costly and requiring crazy equipment!

sis · 13/09/2003 20:35

I tried Alexander technique but it did not work for me - it tends to be done on a one-to-one basis and I did not find my teacher very good. What really worked for me after 34 years of slouching, was doing yoga. The constant reminder during classes to keep straight back was what worked for me! HTH

Ghosty · 13/09/2003 21:08

Here's a good tip ... and it might be hard to explain in writing ...
Put your index finder on your chin. Then gently push your chin back (and down) in towards your throat, while straightening your back. You will find, in doing this correctly, that your head straightens up, as does your neck and you should feel your shoulders pushing back to the correct place.
Also ... Imagine that there is a piece of string attached to the crown of your head and it is being pulled up (as if you are a puppet) ...
Also ... the old "Bottom in, Stomach in, Chest out, Shoulders back and down" that they used to say to girls in deportment classes is the best way to stand ...
I had months of Physio last year due to a bad neck which I pulled when carrying DS all day at a picnic. The Physio was brilliant and basically pointed out to me that although my posture wasn't too bad, I was letting it go, as do many mothers, due to intensive carrying of heavy toddler. My neck trouble was the least of my problems and was mainly caused due to bad posture and then came to a head at the picnic.
She said that bad posture is 95% of the time the cause of back and neck problems ...

Ghosty · 13/09/2003 21:10

That last bit didn't make sense ... 95% of back and neck problems are caused by bad posture (according to my physio).

CountessDracula · 13/09/2003 22:47

maomao the sort of pilates I did was all mat based, no machinery at all. It was effective but god it was boring. I prefer active exercise like tennis or cycling, found all that dicking about a bit dull.

But it is so good for your back!

zebra · 15/09/2003 05:49

Walk around the house with a book on your head -- no, I'm not kidding. Once you have better habits in the house, it gets easier to have good posture outside the house, too.

Metrobaby · 15/09/2003 12:12

I found yoga fantastic for improving my posture - especially as I am prone to getting a stiff back and neck. I use barbara curries yoga video '7 secrets' in which she specifically does yoga positions that improve posture. Also the best thing I like about this video is that the exercises are broken into 10 mins so you can do as little or as much as you want a day. PS I am not on commission for this video - honest.

Spod · 17/09/2003 02:00

i like pilates - stick on a mellow tape.... very relaxing.... best way i've found of toning up muscles, gaining stregth and flexibility - all mat based, no equip,enmt.... can join classes.... think mine were a fiver a shot....but after 6 or so you'll have the hang of it and can do at home alone

Original poster

Angiel · 25/09/2003 22:05

Sorry, madly updating everything here.

I haven't decided what to do yet. But I do need to do something. I look like an old woman. I will be reading through the thread again and will try to decide what would help me the most. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

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