How to improve you posture and look years younger pt.2

As I mentioned in part one, improving your posture is not just about standing or sitting up straight. It starts with raising your awareness and your understanding of what it really is.

 

Regardless of age or current condition you can begin to improve you posture and the way you move.

 

There are many types of postures, Sway back,( think teenager with an attitude) Kyphotic,( think grumpy old man) See the illustration, but regardless of your posture- good or bad, here are two things you can do today to se an immediate improvement and have  you on  your way to looking  younger. 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Breath…. Properly.

 

Did I tell you about my recent Yoga class visit? No? It was so funny. At the end of the class we were going through some meditation poses and I feel asleep!

 

Slightly embarrassed, I said "I had along day and was tired"

 

Why Im telling you this is because as you sit reading this you’re probably breathing wrong - most likely to quickly, this only encourages bad posture.

 

Yoga teaches you how to breath correctly and move with your breath. Breathing correctly has all kinds of positive effects on your body, mentally, chemically and physically.

 

To correct this sit up, erect your spine and begin to breath through your nose allowing your belly to fill and use your diaphragm.

 

Doesn’t that feel better? Feeling more upright?

 

Do it more often and you’ll soon being to feel better, more relaxed and look younger.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.Know your core.

 

I’m not talking Apples or Geology. I’m referring to your body.

In recent years it’s become very much a buzz word in the fitness & health industry.

People know they should have a ‘good one’ but what exactly is it? To go into detail here would take up the rest of this post and much more. So I’m going to try keep it simple.

 

Here’s what I’d like you to do…

 

Think of your core as not just your abs, but your whole back, your lower and upper abs, and having an inner outer unit.

 

This whole area houses all of your internal organs so it pretty important.

Having this ‘core’ working to it’s best will significantly improve your body posture.

 

To start to help improving your core and impact positively on your posture,

Practice activating you Transverse Abdominals.

 

You can do this now by sitting up and lengthening you spine and drawing your should blades down. Now pull your navel into your spine gently.

 

When done correctly, tihs will activate your transverse abdominals- a key muscle of the inner core and helps to stabilize your spine.

 

You can also practice this laying down or in the kneeling position.

 

So, you’re on you way to improve your posture. Remember, just like anything else this will take time.

 

The about the journey no the destination! Just keep practicing.

 

I’ll be uploading images on the site soon that will illustrate exercise that will help improve your posture.

 

If you’d like to get some had on advice why not join u in the new year when we’ll be holding our next Pilates for runners course in Leeds.

 

Just click here to reserve your place.

 

Places are limited so be quick!

 

Best of health.

 

Mike.