What is "good posture"?

Posture is defined as the typical position of the body – the relative arrangement of one body part to another. The implication being that good posture is something to aspire to and that it can affect our overall health. Yet interestingly, many of us are examples of poor posture. Watch a tournament on TV and it will only take a few seconds to find a top player with forward head posture, increased thoracic kyphosis (middle back curvature) and either flattened or excessive lumbar curvatures.

Why then do you suppose everyone is so mentally conscious of posture, yet fails to demonstrate good alignment physically? The personal trainer or therapist is all too often just like the parent reprimanding the child, "Stand up straight boy!" He or she has just as bad posture as the clients who are being corrected.

We should not take posture lightly. Few realize that posture is directly related to:

1. Low back or knee pain can arise from pelvic joint disorders
2. Headaches, eyestrain, and neck and upper back pain can be caused by the head being too far forward or rearward.
3. The effects of posture can be far reaching, involving respiratory, digestive, and circulatory systems as well as the musculoskeletal system.

But how is poor or faulty posture developed? to be continued

Let's connect at info@gaiaadventures.com. Let me know how your posture is and what you do to maintain good posture.

Catherine D'Aoust at GAIA Adventures
http://www.gaiaadventures.com
An invitation to love your life.