What is Your Posture Telling You?
Your posture tell us a lot about your overall health.
(clears throat and sits up a little straighter)
Experts say that up to 98% of Americans aren’t standing up straight or walking correctly. That’s a big number, and a good explanation as to why so many Americans suffer from neck and shoulder pain. Are your shoulders tighter than a slingshot? Do you wish you could carry a massage therapist around in your back pocket to work on the knot?
It’s the quiet habits that become cumulative
These aren’t necessarily signs of stress or “old age.” It’s quite possible that over the years, you picked up some bad habits concerning your posture. At Emerald City Pilates, we are firm believers that habits of the past don’t have to show up in your future, so starting today, here’s what you can do to banish your neck and shoulder pain.
Quick Tips to Improve Your Posture, Now!
Careful, controlled movements are a cornerstone of any Pilates practice. When you work with a Pilates instructor, you can be sure there will be an emphasis on performing each exercise the right way. The practice is more about accuracy than speed. You don’t have to worry about being an extreme athlete to reap the benefits this regimen has to offer, nor should you be concerned about whether Pilates can live up to the intensity you’re used to in a workout. This mode of exercise has proven to be challenging and effective for everyone, no matter their current level of fitness, simply because of its focus on execution.
Mindfulness is key. Pilates will teach you many things, one of those being how to be present in the moment. The mindfulness craze is sweeping the nation, and rightfully so—the present is the only place where life is happening! Through your Pilates practice, you will learn to stay focused on your movements throughout the day. It will only be a matter of time before you can pinpoint the exact moment your posture falls out of whack and be able to make immediate adjustments.
There is a right and wrong way to breathe, and you might be doing it wrong. You shouldn’t feel alone, because most people only engage in shallow breathing, which, in turn, makes it harder to deal with stress, and easier to tense your shoulders and neck in response. Correct breathing is a must in Pilates, and your practice will help you develop the discipline of breathing from your core, instead of stopping your breaths at your throat.