If you learn how to relax into better posture, you can begin to positively change it. This sounds contradictory but I want to share a simple technique that allows you to relax tight muscles and use the floor as a guide for symmetry and better posture.

Our posture affects every single movement we do every single day. Most of us admit to poor postural habits but don’t fully recognize the links between posture and balance, performance, and an overall sense of well-being. Most of the time, we work on posture by activating muscles in the upright position.

Posture mirrors both our muscle strengths and our muscle weaknesses. It’s influenced by our body type, our flexibility or tightness, and how we move through our day. Our work, play, and rest habits all feed into our posture and reinforce it – the good and the bad.

In my last post, I talked about symmetry as a component of balance. Our hand dominance – right or left – immediately messes with our symmetry. Add in leg dominance and all of your daily habits and you see a cascading effect that results in asymmetry.

While you can’t become completely symmetrical, you can improve your symmetry and positively influence your balance, performance, and general sense of well being along the way. The best place to start is by becoming aware of your posture.

How to Relax into Better Posture

I like to do this in the middle of the day. I mean, really, an excuse to lay down in the middle of the day and do nothing? I’m in. But it’s a great start or end to your day as well. Follow along in this guided video or use the written instructions below.

Instructions:

Lay on the floor. A bed is too squishy.

You’re trying for full out flat on the floor. Head resting on the floor, arms slightly out to the sides with palms up, legs out straight and relaxed.

  • Focus first on your trunk. Where is your spine touching the floor? Are your ribs symmetrically distributing the weight through your upper back? Is your lower back relaxed and curved slightly off the floor? Does your pelvis feel level?
  • Spend some time in this position. Let your mind wander and then come back to do a few deep breaths and refocus on how your body is relaxing into this position.
  • Move your arms up or down to experiment with relieving any tightness in the front of your chest and shoulders.
  • Let your hips roll out and your feet relax out.

Modifications:

  • Knees can be bent or feet can be up on a stool if your back is more comfortable that way.
  • A small folded towel can be placed under the head if you’re experiencing neck discomfort.

Develop an awareness of where you’re tight and unbalanced. Simply laying in this position will help tight muscles relax and begin to correct imbalances. You will undoubtedly need targeted stretching and strengthening to further your efforts but this is a start. And it’s a great excuse to lay down on the floor and relax for a few minutes!

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