SUMMER
THE POSTURE POLICE
Joanne Fagerstrom
“Stand up straight!” How many times have you
heard those words in your life? Chances are
the answer is a lot. Most of us accept that good
posture is important, (see “Why it Matters” below),
but often we’re more likely to notice someone
else’s postural shortcomings than sense our own.
Even when we make an adjustment, such as
bringing our shoulders further back, typically they
drift right back to where they were as soon as we
stop paying attention. What’s a well-intentioned
person to do?
The answer is paradoxically simple and complex,
and requires a whole-body approach. Here is a
step-by-step guide to improving your posture:
Step 1 - The Test
Stand against a wall with your heels, buttocks and
shoulder blades (or mid back) all touching the wall.
If the back of your head touches the wall without
straining or tipping your head back, read no further
-your posture is great! But for many people, this is
not the case. To gauge how far your head is from
the wall, place your fingers between the back of
your head and the wall. The number of fingers is
your measurement. Make a mental note of where
you are right now.
Step 2 - The “Posture Sequence” Exercise
Lie on the floor with your legs st