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| Author | Topic: Just for Fun (cuz i wanna put something here but don't know what! |
| Monica |
posted 6/6/03 10:34 PM
POSTURE POINTERS Having good posture is not only "lady-like" (tee-hee), it can take 5 pounds off your appearance! Some tall girls get in the habit of slouching because they're insecure about their height; some of us just get lazy about our posture. Straighten up, girls - good looks and good posture go hand-in-hand! Good posture also makes you feel more strong and confident and can help improve your breathing, advance your sports performance, decrease your risk of injury and improve your overall health. And, over the course of your life, good posture can prevent painful physical strain in your joints. How can you tell if your posture needs improving? Physical therapist Deborah Ellison lists these telltale signs: -collapsed arches in your feet -an elevated hip or shoulder -one side of the body rotated forward or back -pelvis and hips tilted to the front, back or side -rounded back -drooping chest and shoulders -head jutting forward These are indications that your body has gotten locked into poor posture. How do you change the slouching habit? Try the following 10 tips for improving your posture: Find "Neutral" - Stand against a wall and roll your shoulders back and down s so they are pressed against the wall. Your head should be erect and touching the wall. Pretend there is a string running from your heels to the top of your head and stand tall along that line. Don't stick your butt out - pull your hips in so they are in line with your "string." This is the position for good posture, called the "neutral" position. You should be able to move into the neutral position while sitting, standing and moving. Remind Yourself Frequently - Create reminders to yourself to do posture checks throughout the day. This will help you realize when your posture is bad and get you in the habit of correcting it. You could set your digital watch for an hourly reminder alarm, or do a posture check every time someone says your name. Vary Your Position - Constant sitting isn't great for your posture. You can't exactly stand up during class, so try to find opportunities to stand instead of sitting - when you're talking on the phone, studying for a test or watching TV. Strengthen Your Abdominals - Weak stomach muscles can lead to bad posture. Doing crunches to strengthen your stomach muscles stabilizes the center of your body, making it easier to hold the correct position for good posture. Stretch! - Stretching your back and other muscles can improve your flexibility and improve your muscle awareness, helping you to extend yourself straight and tall when you sit, walk and stand. Try Yoga - The movements of yoga emphasize alignment and controlled movement of the spine (and other muscles), which can greatly improve your posture habits. Visualize - While you walk, picture yourself walking strong and tall, in perfect alignment. If Your Posture Seems "Stuck", Check With a Specialist - Posture problems can have a serious negative impact on your health and quality of life. Certain conditions, including scoliosis and degenerative disc problems in the back, can force your body into bad posture. If you can't improve your posture with effort, you may need to check with a physical therapist or a chiropractor to find out what's causing the problem. |
| Avi |
posted 7/13/03 3:04 PM
that is really fun. really. |
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