Did You Do Your Posture Exercise Today? – STEP 2 – August 2010

Did You Do Your Posture Exercise Today? – STEP 2

by Renee North, Certified Posture Exercise Professional (CPEP) and personal trainer (NASM)

The first step to strengthen your posture was discussed, in the
July 2010 issue of DERMASCOPE Magazine.

STEP 2: Do Posture Strengthening Exercises

All exercise is not created equal. Exercising with poor posture can train you to stand and move poorly. Yoga, Tai-Chi, and Pilates are all great for building body awareness and control. According to Dr. Weiniger, a smart way to exercise efficiently and get the most out of any workout is with a pre-exercise “posture break” to set your internal baseline. Before taking a walk or hitting the gym Weiniger recommends these posture strengthening exercises:

• STORK – Train yourself to stand tall while building good posture by balancing on one foot. First, stand tall with your best posture, and then keep straight as you lift your thigh so your knee is at hip height. Keep standing tall for 30 seconds on each side, focusing on keeping your body well aligned.
• WALLSTAND – Back up to a wall so your heels, buttocks, shoulders and head all lightly touch the wall while you keep everything level, relaxed and aligned – take three slow breaths, feeling your body’s best posture. Note: If you feel any areas of stress, get your posture checked by a professional.