THE POSTURE CLINIC Yoga 11

Posture Perfect! Good posture is important for your body. Understanding and practicing correct posture is extremely important in preventing musculoskeletal injuries. It also has a tremendous influence on how others perceive us.

Look at the following picture: Slouched v. Poised v. Forced sitting

Your goal is to keep the three natural curves of your spine in their natural balanced alignment. Neutral spine is the position of greatest segmental balance and least amount of stress and pain to the joints, ligaments, and muscles. The alignment is ear, shoulder, hip, and ankle bone. This is often referred to as the plum line.

Standing or sitting in balance means you are working with gravity instead of against it. The muscles do not have to work hard to maintain balance; therefore the body feels less fatigued and can work more efficiently. When you slouch, you cause unnecessary strain, which can lead to backache, stiffness, and muscle fatigue.

Will Power Knowing the proper techniques is one thing. Harder is the practice of good posture. Here are some techniques! Tell your friends and family to remind you Leave yourself post it notes Stand tall when you see a person wearing a hat Sit tall when you stop at a red light Practice tadasana

Tadasana or Mountain Pose General benefits of mountain pose or what is also called Tadasana Aligns the spine, which increases circulation Helps develop proper standing posture which can reduce problems associated with improper weight distribution, resulting in worn joints. This reduces wear and tear on the knees.

Tadasana or Mountain Pose Tones abdominal muscles and strengthens the legs Strengthens the arches of the feet, knees and thighs Fosters mental focus and clarity

Tadasana or Mountain Pose Enhances self-confidence Reduces mild anxiety Encourages deep breathing for an overall sense of calm Enhances digestion Prevents osteo-arthritis in the spine Job success

Review How many vertebrae does the cervical section of the spine have?

Answer 7

Figure 2. An abnormal spinal condition known as scoliosis is shown in this drawing. Scoliosis is a lateral (sideways) curvature of the spine.

Figure 3. Spondylolisthesis is an abnormal spinal condition in which one vertebra slips or is displaced over another vertebra. The drawing shows spondylolisthesis as a result of a lumbar vertebra (L5) slipping over the sacrum (S1).