It's not uncommon to come across any good posture note that doesn't ask you to keep your back straight. It's definitely a good practice to do so, but I've experienced difficulty practicing it for a long time. Usually a prolonged straight back tired my upper back muscles and made it stiff. Thanks to my occupation of constantly in coversation with my computer - I have no escape from this dreadful problem. Not to mention the ill effects this has on my entire system and the hardship I'll have to put up with as I grow old and feeble. It's everyone's problem these days.
That being the problem, I was constantly looking for a solution (an easy solution) that eluded me for a long time. I've tried constantly reminding myself, pulling my body from the unconscious slouch, breathing, regular breaks and short walks. They all helped but the slouch seemed persistent.
From an unusual source came the final solution. It's to slightly tilt the hip bone forward. No matter what activity you do, this is a simple adjustment that can come in handy. You could sit, stand, bend down or up, twist and turn, walk or run and even sleep with the hip bone tilted forward.
The back is made of lower, middle and upper and all three are stacked one upon the other with the upper back holding the neck and head. All this is supported by our back bone. All this structure is propped well on the hip supported by the legs. Now if you imagine the body as a tree your legs are stable roots on which the wobbly trunk, branches and all the important parts are perched upon.
Still nothing beats practice and a conscious reminder. Keep reminding yourself to tilt the hip and loosen the upper body. This works like magic. So say no more keep the back straight - just say tilt the hip.
P.S. Try this for at least three weeks in a row and let me know how you get on with it.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
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