Have you noticed how a lot of people walk around with slouched shoulders, stooping forward, like they just want to get from A to B in the shortest time, and without any hassle from others who might interrupt their concentration, locked in their own little world. The cold weather might have something to do with it, as this time of the year is when you are weighed down with lots of layers, and yards of scarf wrapped around your neck. It's hardly surprising that you don't want to take the force of the wind and rain full in the face, so the natural instinct is to get your head down and march on.
I have to admit I am often guilty of this myself. If I am in a hurry I get my head down and lean forward, in the hope that I might arrive at my destination a few minutes earlier and save a bit of time. Of course that is nonsense, my strides are still the same length no matter how upright or bent my body is. I caught sight of my side profile in a shop window recently, my posture was terrible, I looked ten years older than I actually am. My shoulders were rounded, and my head was sticking forward, I looked a mess. I immediately stood upright, pulled my shoulders back, and lifted my head up. I looked and felt 100% better, now why can't I hold my posture like that all the time.
Now, I am trying to remember to walk properly, and to help me do this I am singing this song to myself in my head.
I've also found a couple of useful videos.
I'm determined I am going to do something about this. I don't want to end up with all kinds of back, neck, and shoulder pain in my old age. I need to correct my posture now. Has anyone else got this problem?
Tell me your stories. See you tomorrow.
Toodle pip.
I find I do the same, and it's something I am trying to address at the moment. I also find I slump down in the chair when I'm on the computer, also something I am trying to change.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how walking and even sitting 'taller' makes you feel more energetic and more alert.
My dad was only about 5ft 4 and heaven help anyone who called him titch or tiny! He had been in the army and always walked ten foot tall with his shoulders back. I have always tried to walk like him.
ReplyDeleteI tend to walk tall anyway as I have osteoporosis and I certainly don't want to help any hump forming on my spine.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
Ilona, I used to have a bad posture and often back aches before I took up Bellydancing. Holding a veil behind me and doing exercises with it had soon sorted all that out, and to this day I`m proud to say that I can still do back bends I never was able to do before I started my dancing. Even so my dancing days are over, the back bends can still be done and my overall flexibility as well as posture remain much improved. Dance exercise can do wonders!
ReplyDeleteI quite agree with you Ilona. I saw my mother in town, but then realised it was my own reflection in a shop window. Head forward just as though I wanted to get to the finish line first.
ReplyDeleteI sit bolt upright,stand tall and walk tall...unless the ground is icy and then I take pathetic little baby steps. I do look down on rough ground ..don't want to end up A over T!
ReplyDeleteJanex
This is a great post for me at the moment Ilona because I do have problems with my posture. It is mainly down to my health issues which I won't go into. I can't get down on the floor for the first, but I intend to do the second. Can't wait to get started.
ReplyDeleteJoan A (Wales)
I think I would "walk tall" if David Tennant's hand was on MY shoulder ;)
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your post today it reinforced for me how wonderful yoga is for strengthening my back muscles, for balance and flexibility. These all help with my posture and I am really looking forward to resuming yoga at the end of this month. Thanks Ilona !
ReplyDeleteCheryl from Australia
Sadly, i am one of those people with lousy posture. Arthritis and bone spurs in my neck make it difficult to always stand tall. I stretch and do a series of yoga postures on the mornings i don't work. (I will not get up at 4AM to exercise!) Stretching helps, but i will be a large letter C if i live long enough. I've had problems standing tall since i was a teen. I was in a series of three car accidents in a three month period, before i could drive!, which is what probably set this off for me. I do what i can and try not to let it bother me, but it does...
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your difficulties, big hugs to you. I am not familiar with the medical reasons why some people have poor posture, so forgive me if my post appeared to trivialize the problem. I wish you well.
DeleteI've always had terrible posture. It isn't anything my mother nagged me about, I'm sorry to say. Also, although it was never diagnosed when I was a child (and my parents wouldn't have done anything about it, anyway), I apparently have mild scoliosis. I have to remind myself to sit up straight (I'm doing it right now!). Very fortunate that my bone density is good--MIL had osteoporosis and a very bad dowager's hump, and I don't need that!!
ReplyDeleteQuestion - What is A over T?
ReplyDeleteArse over tit. It means the same as head over heels, or coming a cropper. Slang for falling down.
DeleteHow uncouth. The polite phrase would be base over apex.
DeleteWhat's apex? :o))
DeleteIt's colloquial English,it isn't meant to be a genteel phrase.
DeleteJane x
Apex is the top of a triangle or the pointy bit of your roof. I heard it on the radio when Mandela died and Betty Boothroyd was hoping that he didn't go 'base over apex' on some steps when he was visiting the house of commons. He probably didn't know what she was on about so she might as well have said mind you don't go arse over tit down them stairs Nelson.
ReplyDeleteAnyway its a strange thing to say unless its someone with a pointy head. Maybe i shouldn't listen to radio4.
Dave
So if base is arse, then apex must be tit, referring to those bits sticking out front. Hmmmm, interesting.
DeleteAnd the only person who looks like that is Madonna with her conical bra.
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