Personal Development for Smart People Forums

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

 

Go Back   Personal Development for Smart People Forums > Personal Development > Health & Fitness

Notices

Health & Fitness Health issues, diet, exercise, sleep, fitness, endurance, flexibility, strength, physical skills, sports, health habits, healing

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-20-2007, 02:57 AM   #1 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
ArtVandelay is on a distinguished road
Default Posture

I've never had great posture, and I'd like to do something about that. Are there any exercises/stretches that I can do to help my posture?

My neck also always seems to bend forward above my back, even if my head is straight. Is this natural?
ArtVandelay is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:07 AM   #2 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtVandelay View Post
I've never had great posture, and I'd like to do something about that. Are there any exercises/stretches that I can do to help my posture?

My neck also always seems to bend forward above my back, even if my head is straight. Is this natural?
To a very great extent, your posture depends on your frame of mind... if you are in a exuberant mood... you will not stand as if you were depressed...

Also, your spine might be a little malformed... in which case there is nothing that you can do...

So, the very best that you can do is to be aware of your posture... try to stand relatively straight... and stick a great big grin on your face...
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:12 AM   #3 (permalink)
Ree
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 632
Ree is on a distinguished road
Default Actually

There are steps you can take to improve your posture. One is to strengthen the muscles in your back and this you can accomplish with free weights. Check it out:

How to Improve Your Posture - wikiHow
How to Improve Your Posture - wikiHow
Ree is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:30 AM   #4 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ree View Post
There are steps you can take to improve your posture. One is to strengthen the muscles in your back and this you can accomplish with free weights. Check it out:

How to Improve Your Posture - wikiHow
How to Improve Your Posture - wikiHow
With all due respect... I read your article... and with my experience as a lifelong Chiropractic Physician I would have to say that following those advices would be an exercise in futility...

What would be needed to change the posture would be to modify the muscular tonicity (the tonicity is the tension that remains in a muscle once we have voluntary have relaxed it) of the body... it would have to be increased in some parts of the body and decreased in other... an almost impossible task...
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:48 AM   #5 (permalink)
Ree
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 632
Ree is on a distinguished road
Default

With all due respect, it worked for me
Ree is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 03:59 AM   #6 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ree View Post
With all due respect, it worked for me
It worked for you because you felt better about yourself... and not because the technique worked... but, who cares... if it did work... that's all that matters... and congratulations... I'm very happy for you...
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:17 AM   #7 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
ArtVandelay is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamou View Post
It worked for you because you felt better about yourself... and not because the technique worked... but, who cares... if it did work... that's all that matters... and congratulations... I'm very happy for you...
.
So you're saying there's nothing I can do :/?
ArtVandelay is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:26 AM   #8 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtVandelay View Post
So you're saying there's nothing I can do :/?
No... that is not what I said... what I said was that your posture is very much influenced by your state of mind... if you are proud of yourself... you'll walk and stand straight... like a proud person does... however, if you feel down and out... you will reflect that also in your posture...

Also, you can be posture conscious... and actually make the effort to stand the way that you would like to... and soon, it will become a habit... like a soldier... you don't see them slouching do you...??? they don't slouch because they have been taught to stand straight... and you can teach yourself...

Just don't give up...

Anymore questions...???
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:34 AM   #9 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
ArtVandelay is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamou View Post
No... that is not what I said... what I said was that your posture is very much influenced by your state of mind... if you are proud of yourself... you'll walk and stand straight... like a proud person does... however, if you feel down and out... you will reflect that also in your posture...

Also, you can be posture conscious... and actually make the effort to stand the way that you would like to... and soon, it will become a habit... like a soldier... you don't see them slouching do you...??? they don't slouch because they have been taught to stand straight... and you can teach yourself...

Just don't give up...

Anymore questions...???
.
Yeah. At the back of my neck, my spine bends forward a lot. Is it supposed to be like that?
ArtVandelay is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:40 AM   #10 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtVandelay View Post
Yeah. At the back of my neck, my spine bends forward a lot. Is it supposed to be like that?
Is your spine like the one on the left...???

.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 04:59 AM   #11 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
ArtVandelay is on a distinguished road
Default

Hm... possibly, although it's a bit hard to tell. The head positioning (at the front of the back rather than closer to the back on the right spine) definitely reminds me of me.

One thing that I have noticed is that "standing up straight" with the top part of my body invariably forces my lower abdomen (stomach/abs area) to have a significant forward arch in the back.

Is this a serious condition, or the result of slumping over too much when I was younger (I'm 16 now)?

Last edited by ArtVandelay; 08-20-2007 at 05:04 AM.
ArtVandelay is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 05:07 AM   #12 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtVandelay View Post
Hm... possibly, although it's a bit hard to tell.

One thing that I have noticed is that "standing up straight" with the top part of my body invariably forces my lower abdomen (stomach/abs area) to have a significant forward arch in the back.

Is this a serious condition, or the result of slumping over too much when I was younger (I'm 16 now)?
That is what is called, "lordosis" it is simply the way that your spine is shaped... and what gives girls that "sexy butt look..."

It has nothing to do with slumping... and the worst possible thing that it can do is to give the impression that your tummy is bigger than it actually is... don't worry about it...
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 05:13 AM   #13 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 67
ArtVandelay is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamou View Post
That is what is called, "lordosis" it is simply the way that your spine is shaped... and what gives girls that "sexy butt look..."

It has nothing to do with slumping... and the worst possible thing that it can do is to give the impression that your tummy is bigger than it actually is... don't worry about it...
.
Heh, I've always been the skin-and-bones type, and I've started doing crunches and pushups lately, so that doesn't really concern me .

My back does hurt sometimes, but you make it sound like it has nothing to do with this, which I hope is true!

I've been reading up on body language, and apparently standing up straight is key to projecting confidence and charisma. Will this have any effect on that?

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it !
ArtVandelay is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 01:01 PM   #14 (permalink)
Family Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,629
openeyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppableopeneyes is absolutely unstoppable
Default

When I was about 11 I read that sitting/standing up straight affords one more energy and thus I adopted the habit. Then 2-3 years ago I made a point of leaning back in chairs more just to seem more human so people could relate to me better. Before, I never touched the back of chairs as I didn't lean back at all. At least I got plenty of compliments on my posture Making myself slouch made my back sore for a while but now it doesn't feel like so much of an issue.

Sitting up straight still feels easier than slouching though. One thing I've noticed is that a lot of chairs (particularly easy chairs/couches) are designed to make you lean back, and that you'd actually have an easier time of sitting up straight in them if you did a 180, with your chest facing the back of the chair, or simply sit on the edge of the chair, which would make you seem more interested in whatever was going on anyhow.
openeyes is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 01:53 PM   #15 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit
Posts: 772
Matthew Shea is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ArtVandelay View Post
My neck also always seems to bend forward above my back, even if my head is straight. Is this natural?
In my observations, that's just the way it is for some people. It's not unusual for me to notice someone's head sitting just a little forward of their shoulders.

I agree with Shamou that posture is mostly about attitude. It's also about developing good habits, though, like sitting straight and not slouching. I'd say working on eliminating the bad habits will take you further than anything.

Of course I'm as guilty of bad posture as anyone.
Matthew Shea is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 02:02 PM   #16 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 22,520
Angela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond repute
Default Alexander Technique

Danger Man and I took a class in the Alexander Technique earlier this year (through the city's adult education program) and it completely transformed the way we move and hold ourselves. I highly recommend it.

It's not about traditional posture ("stand up straight!") so much as being aware of your body and releasing your points of tension when necessary. One big difference it made for me is that I held a lot of tension in the slump area you're talking about and also my trapezius muscles, and after taking the class I learned to spot the triggers that made me hurt and to let practice releasing my head "up and forward." This made it possible for me to run again without pain and stress on my back.

Interestingly, it also made me relax when speaking and to feel much, much lighter on my feet all day.
Angela is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 06:15 PM   #17 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington State
Posts: 501
Kaspian is on a distinguished road
Default

I highly recommend taking lessons in the Alexander Technique. As Angela said, it's less about "posture" and more about being aware of your habits and making choices about how you use yourself.

I'd suggest a teacher certified by AmSAT, STAT, or an affiliated society since their teacher certification standards are highest (1600+ hours of small-group instruction).

AmSAT - United States
STAT - UK
Affiliated Societies List
Kaspian is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 08:10 PM   #18 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 152
Buddy is on a distinguished road
Default

"Also, your spine might be a little malformed... in which case there is nothing that you can do..."

Sorry Shamou,
Chiropracter or not, this statement is nonsense. Most spinal issues are really postural issues therefore issues of the myofascial structure. Much can be done to relive lordosis, herniated discs, scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylitis. More often than not these problems are a result of a lack of full range movement. Posture can certainly be affected by exercise, I'm proof of it.
Art, take a look here:
The Egoscue Method

Buddy
Buddy is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 12:05 AM   #19 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sydney, AU
Posts: 74
Namaste will become famous soon enough
Default

Yoga is excellent for posture, as it strengthens your core and back muscles, elongates your spine, aligns your body, teaches proper breathing techniques and generally makes you more body-aware
Namaste is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 12:37 AM   #20 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddy View Post
Sorry Shamou,
Chiropracter or not, this statement is nonsense.
The creator of this method (The Egoscue Method) is Pete Egoscue who has spent over twenty years studying the human body as an exercise therapist. (from Wikipedia... see here )

He's an exercise therapist...
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 01:00 AM   #21 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: in your fridge
Posts: 2,018
Plato is on a distinguished road
Default

Hold your arms out horizontally in front of you. Raise them above your head. Then bring them down to your sides. This will put you where you should be. Makes you look like superman.
Plato is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 07:09 PM   #22 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 152
Buddy is on a distinguished road
Default

"He's an exercise therapist... "

He's a postural therapist. With none of that "subluxation" voodoo, either.
Buddy is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 07:24 PM   #23 (permalink)
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Sunny FL
Posts: 46
Jayne is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Namaste View Post
Yoga is excellent for posture, as it strengthens your core and back muscles, elongates your spine, aligns your body, teaches proper breathing techniques and generally makes you more body-aware
You beat me to it Namaste. Yoga has been wonderful for my posture, as with the rest of my life. My back feels better when my posture is good, and when my posture is good it instantly elevates my mood. I'd highly recommend yoga.
Jayne is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 07:29 PM   #24 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Buddy View Post
"He's an exercise therapist... "

He's a postural therapist. With none of that "subluxation" voodoo, either.
On The Egoscue Method

"While his methods enjoy tremendous popularity, his claims are not backed by clinical trial evidence and are unconventional."

A good businessman does not necessarily makes a good therapist...
.
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 07:57 PM   #25 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 22,520
Angela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I tried the Egoscue Method actually because Steve Pavlina recommended it some time ago.

I found it helpful in relieving back pain and tension, but it took too much time -- I would get restless just lying there for an hour.

The Alexander Technique had a similar function called -- what, "Active Rest" -- that was refreshing and relaxing, but didn't take so long, and didn't require any special equipment, like Egoscue did.
Angela is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 08:01 PM   #26 (permalink)
kat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 212
kat will become famous soon enough
Default

Another option might be an exercise ball. I recently got one, and I'm finding it to be quite helpful - my core strength was pretty low to begin with, but it's increasing at a decent rate, and my lower back pain from spending a -lot- of hours a day, most days, for quite a few years, slouched on a chair with my lower back in a terrible position gets mitigated when I sit on the ball instead. The most extreme changes seem temporary, but I'm starting to notice a gradual improvement that I'm quite happy with. Apparently the most efficient way to sit on the ball is with a good posture; I do find myself not slouching much or often on it, just because it's so much more work to do so.
kat is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 08:08 PM   #27 (permalink)
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 18
Gyanish Gungaram is on a distinguished road
Smile

Like Namaste suggested, yoga works fine for me when I suffer from backpains.
Gyanish Gungaram is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 09:37 PM   #28 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Quebec, Canada
Posts: 3,811
Shamou is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angela View Post
I found it helpful in relieving back pain and tension,
If you have back pain tensions... chances are very high that you "resisting" something...

Even mental resistance create muscular tension... go with the flow... is the best way to go...
.
Shamou is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 09:50 PM   #29 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 22,520
Angela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond reputeAngela has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shamou View Post
If you have back pain tensions... chances are very high that you "resisting" something...

Even mental resistance create muscular tension... go with the flow... is the best way to go...
.
You're right! My back pain was the tension generated when I resisted Stopping. I was playing beach volleyball all day Saturdays and Sundays, for eight hours at a stretch. Would be limping and moaning on Mondays. It was like an addiction! Danger Man eventually intervened; I cut down my exercise to a more reasonable amount, and spread it out over the week, and the pain disappeared.

Running kept hurting though until I started the Alexander Technique. Now I can run and still keep suppleness through my neck and back and minimize the impact. Much better now.
Angela is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Old 08-22-2007, 10:27 PM   #30 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 152
Buddy is on a distinguished road
Default

""While his methods enjoy tremendous popularity, his claims are not backed by clinical trial evidence and are unconventional."

So you're commenting on something about which you know nothing. Your own profession was dismissed as quackery only a short while ago and you are still quick to judge. Even now your pet "theory" is dismissed by MDs and chiropractors themselves.
See: Subluxation: Chiropractic's Elusive Buzzword
Or: Take It from a DC. A Lot of Chiropractic Is a Sham
or many many more.
Careful inside that glass house, Sham.
Buddy is offline  
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
I hate myself. The_One_Free_Man Emotional Mastery 46 06-11-2009 04:17 PM
State, Attitude, Physiology Senin Emotional Mastery 16 08-18-2007 07:11 AM
Posture pinkhighlighter Health & Fitness 17 04-08-2007 04:07 AM
Mediation Posture + Cushions jbischke Health & Fitness 0 03-02-2007 01:33 PM


All times are GMT. The time now is 12:42 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.1.0
Copyright © 2010 by Pavlina LLC