While many people view exercising as a way to lose weight or attain a perfect body shape, exercising has its own advantages on one's body posture.
Exercising gives strength to your muscles helping you to maintain an upright body posture. However the kind of exercises you need to do to improve your posture are not the regular kinds that we are accustomed to.
The various kinds of exercises that one needs to improve their posture include;
1.Foward Fold
- Stand with your big toes touching and your heels slightly apart.
- Bring your hands to your hips and fold forward at your hips.
- Release your hands towards the floor or place them on a block.
- Bend your knees slightly, soften your hips joints and allow your spine to lengthen.
- Tuck your chin into your chest and allow your head to fall heavy to the floor.
- Remain in this pose for up to 1 minute.
2.Chest Opener
- Stand with your feet about hip-width apart.
- Bring your arms behind you and interlace your fingers with your palms pressing together. You can grasp a towel if your hands don't reach.
- Keep your head, neck and spine in one line as you gaze straight ahead.
- Inhale as you lift your chest toward the ceiling and bring your hands toward the floor.
- Breathe deeply as you hold this pose for 5 breaths.
- Release and relax for a few breaths.
- Repeat at least 10 times.
3.High Plank
- Come onto all fours and straighten your legs, lift your heels and raise your hips.
- Straighten your back and engage your abdominal, arm and leg muscles.
- Lengthen the back of your neck, soften your throat and look down at the floor.
- Make sure to keep your chest open and your shoulders back.
- Hold this position for up to 1 minute at a time.
4. Downward Facing Dog
- Lying with your stomach on the floor, press into your hands as you tuck your toes under your feet and lift your heels.
- Lift your knees and hips to bring your sitting bones up toward the ceiling.
- Bend your knees slightly and lengthen your spine.
- Keep your ears in line with your upper arms or tuck your chin all the way into your chest.
- Press firmly into your hands and keep your heels slightly lifted.
- Remain in this pose for up to 1 minute.
5.Cat Cow
- Come onto your hands and knees with your weight balanced evenly between all 4 points.
- Inhale to look up, dropping your abdomen down toward the ground as you extend your spine.
- Exhale and arch your spine toward the ceiling and tuck your chin into your chest.
- Continue this movement for at least 1 minute.
These are but a few types of exercises that you can do to improve your posture. They are all focused on muscle strength and stretching.
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