Posure Practice

Lesson 35

Like poor breathing, bad posture is one of the worst habits, but it is not just about how everything looks. It literally goes much deeper than that. The spine is basically the center of the body and entire energetic system. According to yoga philosophy, this is where all the main energy centers, or chakras, are located. If you prefer a more scientific explanation, all the major clusters of nerves (besides hands and feet) are located along the spine — like the stomach and the heart. The spine can also be looked at as the highway that connects brain and body. It is not only instrumental in the mind-body connection, but also in coordination of the nervous system.

Poor posture is like a traffic jam on the information highway of the body, where good posture allows everything to flow. You will be more confident, alert, and aware with better posture. Do not underestimate the power of this. It all translates to an improved workflow and an improved life.

You do not need to maintain perfect posture all day, and we will get into creative ways to give yourself a break in Chapter 6. However, remember the fast food example from previous lessons. It is great to go to the gym, but if you eat McDonald’s every meal, it cancels out the positive effects. If you have good posture for a couple minutes, but then have bad posture for the rest of the day, we are in the same boat unfortunately.

I am going to be honest with you. This will be challenging in the beginning, but it gets easier with more practice and as you grow stronger; as you become more in control of the body and mind. You will have to remind yourself to correct your posture hundreds of times, but it will be worth it in the end.

To correct such a deeply ingrained habit like poor posture, we need to attack it from as many angles as possible. Write a note that will always be in view at your workspace to remind you of the posture practice. This is to prime the subconscious mind. Set several timers throughout the day and challenge yourself to do “working sets of perfect posture”, similar to what you would do with a plank challenge. Push it! On the note of planks, strengthen your core — all of it. Practice planks, glute bridges, and also mobility work like spinal flossing. All of this is in Chapter 5. There is an entire yoga flow for the spine. Go hard, but simultaneously be gentle. Challenge yourself, but don’t get mad at yourself. Never beat yourself up for having bad posture or slipping up, but instead move onward and upward. Again, this process will be tough in the beginning, but after a couple weeks, good posture should become automatic.

Before closing, what exactly is good posture? Put as simply as possible, it is an elongated spine. However, it is important to note that the shoulders should not raise up towards the ears, but instead relax down and back — away from the ears. I like to imagine the top of my head connected to an invisible string. This string is always gently pulling me straight up. In regards to the heart, I like to visualize that I have a flashlight attached to my heart. If I have poor posture, the flashlight will point down — towards the ground. If I have good posture, the flashlight will be pointing straight ahead, or angled slightly up. Where is your heart flashlight pointed right now?