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Are You Standing Correctly: The Correct Posture
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Bjornson Bernales

 
By Bjornson Bernales
Published on 01/8/2008
 
Are You Standing Correctly The Correct PostureAre you standing correctly? The correct posture while standing can be attained through awareness and having a strong postural muscle. Practice is also necessary.

Are You Standing Correctly: The Correct Posture
Correct posture denotes to proper position in the way one sits or stands. Posture refers to the body position with reference to the head, chest, shoulder and the right alignment of the spine from head to the pelvic area. It pertains to the direct response of the body to gravity.

The ideal correct posture that people want to demonstrate is having an upright position from the head, neck, and back and down to the pelvis. Shoulder blades at the back, chest forward, abdominal part tuck in, head straight up with chin in, jaw and mouth relax. The correct posture may have variations in the way one sits or stands but is definitely similar in the upper body position.

Correct posture while standing is not only attained by having an upright upper body position. It is also important to have awareness on the lower body portion. The weight of the body should be on the toes or balls of the feet and not on the heels. It is also advisable to shift the weights of the body alternately on each side of the feet from time to time.

Correct posture is not only applied in stranding and sitting positions. Stooping, squatting and sleeping would also need proper posture.

Proper posture is one of the disciples of body mechanics. Body mechanics refers to the ways of body movement with emphasis on proper position of body parts. Faulty body mechanics can lead to problems in certain body parts and possible injury. When the right body mechanics are applied, there is a coordination of bones and muscle movements which can promote to the overall appearance of a person.

Proper posture can enhance the appearance of a person. Aside from that, it keeps the correct alignment of bones and joints. Standing or sitting upright with coordinated bones and muscles movements can help in reducing the onset of joint and bone degradation.

Having a correct posture while standing, sitting, squatting, and sleeping and during the position of lifting heavy objects can reduce the stress on the ligaments and may prevent muscle and joint strain or fatigue. When sitting and standing upright has become a norm, it is unlikely for the spine to be fixed in an irregular position.

Muscular pains at the back and around the neck can be blamed from unusual body position causing strain on the involved body parts. Maintaining a proper posture on different positions can prevent the onset of pain on parts that are usually hit by improper body position.

One of the requirements for achieving a correct posture is awareness of the body parts and the body movements. When an individual is conscious about his posture, he can make corrections instantly. There is a tendency that posture may be changed when he is unconscious about his body movement. However, constant practice could help gain more consciousness on his posture even unknowingly.

Muscular balance, strength and flexibility are other requirements of good posture. Muscles should be trained and worked to its full potential level. To attain correct posture, one must not opt to live a sedentary life. Activities such as exercises and strength training work-out may result to flexible, balanced and strong postural muscles.

There are certain exercises developed for the purpose of promoting and improving correct body posture. Tai chi, yoga, pilates, dance classes,NIA, Alexander Technique and martial arts are different disciplines that teach different form of exercises and techniques for body coordination and core stability. The exercises for core stability and for the coordination of body parts can contribute to the postural muscle, movements and position.

If attaining correct posture is a problem, one should undergo certain exercises and techniques to help them achieve an upright head to toe position. Yoga and tai chi promote muscle flexibility. They also have exercises for core stability.

The Alexander technique teaches about correct posture and how to attain it. The technique uses a combination of scientific and rational approaches to achieve a desired outcome in body posture and movement.

The ergonomic design of furniture has a factor in body posture. It has been thought that poor ergonomic design is a cause of dysfunctional posture.