I think about this at times. I’ve found camel and back-bend poses to be helpful in getting the chest to open and counter the effects of gravity by bending the spine backwards.
I appreciate you sharing what helps open your chest, Barry. Thanks for reminding me about camel pose. Once my shoulder heals fully, I will try it. Until then, I will continue using a bolster. Thanks again.
Ooh...this is relatable...my mom always told me, stand up straight! I listened to her with varying degrees of attention... I still struggle with slouching. I think it's my norm rather than the exception to the rule.
I appreciate your vulnerability here, Niki. It feels good to know I'm not the only one who contends with slouching and its effects. May we both learn healthy posture in our own time and way (if that's what you want).
I’m glad you brought this up, Ryan. I noticed a big difference with my shoulders when I started meditating more and working less at my desk. My previous relationship kept me in anxiety that I carried from my childhood, and having a deadline-driven career added to the tenseness in my neck and upper body.
Today I’m more aware of these triggers and work on reversing my tendencies to hold stress in my upper body. I’m in a healthy relationship and switched to a more “chill” WFH job and feel a huge difference. I feel lighter and have less headaches.
Wishing you the best in your journey! I’m confident you’ll be feeling better with all your efforts - both physically and mentally 🫶🏽 Thank you for sharing
Thanks for sharing this here, Dana. I'm excited that meditating, finding a healthy partner, and working a job that supports your well-being have left you lighter and with fewer headaches. I feel great, have almost zero physical pain, and rarely get headaches, so my posture is a mystery I hope to unravel in the coming years. Let's see. I'm grateful for your inspiration and encouragement.
Thank you so much for sharing, Ryan. In the same boat here and so helpful to know I’m not alone in carrying the weight of my past trauma/ emotions not felt in my back causing this posture.
I was born with a slight scoliosis. It was never enough to get flagged in those gym-class tests where the nurse made up bend over so she could see the line of the spine. But it was enough to cause pain when I carried the bells in marching band and when I over-twisted in synchronized swimming.
After I was hit by a car as a pedestrian and got xrays from a chiropractor, he showed me just how much my spine was off.
Ten years later, I went back to the same chirpractor and asked for a comparison xray. I said I had grown two inches as a result of yoga, and I was sure the curve was gone. He insisted that was not likely as he had never seen such results in his 30 years.
Sure enough, my spine was straight.
(did I tell that the step by step process of how to connect to healthy posture is a huge part of my cohort program??? you may not have to hire that posture coach or somatic therapist)
Funnily enough I think I have the problem of standing too straight! I was told my slouching was causing my back to give me problems and as someone who takes things a bit too literally I then always made sure to keep my back as straight as possible... When I began serious strength work in the gym my posture definitely contributed to the injuries I've been dealing with since. I've been exploring Jefferson Curls to address my mid back spinal issues and to help out with my sciatic nerve related stuff too, happy to be on the journey with you!
That is funny, Kieran. I’d always heard that we can stand up too straight, but I didn’t realize it could cause problems. Happy to be on the journey to a healthy spine with you, too. 🙌And I hope the Jefferson curls and other means relieve your pain.
A good reminder for all of us, Ryan. It's 6:30 AM here and I've already told myself to stand up straight a couple of times ... before I read your piece.
Thanks Ryan. You are a straight up guy it is clear! May your body follow your insides sooner rather than later. Thanks for writing so openly and clearly.
Now that’s an inspiring story, Teri. I never knew scoliosis could be corrected. If you can do that, surely I can have a healthy posture too. Looking forward to learning more in time!
I think about this at times. I’ve found camel and back-bend poses to be helpful in getting the chest to open and counter the effects of gravity by bending the spine backwards.
I appreciate you sharing what helps open your chest, Barry. Thanks for reminding me about camel pose. Once my shoulder heals fully, I will try it. Until then, I will continue using a bolster. Thanks again.
Ooh...this is relatable...my mom always told me, stand up straight! I listened to her with varying degrees of attention... I still struggle with slouching. I think it's my norm rather than the exception to the rule.
I appreciate your vulnerability here, Niki. It feels good to know I'm not the only one who contends with slouching and its effects. May we both learn healthy posture in our own time and way (if that's what you want).
I’m glad you brought this up, Ryan. I noticed a big difference with my shoulders when I started meditating more and working less at my desk. My previous relationship kept me in anxiety that I carried from my childhood, and having a deadline-driven career added to the tenseness in my neck and upper body.
Today I’m more aware of these triggers and work on reversing my tendencies to hold stress in my upper body. I’m in a healthy relationship and switched to a more “chill” WFH job and feel a huge difference. I feel lighter and have less headaches.
Wishing you the best in your journey! I’m confident you’ll be feeling better with all your efforts - both physically and mentally 🫶🏽 Thank you for sharing
Thanks for sharing this here, Dana. I'm excited that meditating, finding a healthy partner, and working a job that supports your well-being have left you lighter and with fewer headaches. I feel great, have almost zero physical pain, and rarely get headaches, so my posture is a mystery I hope to unravel in the coming years. Let's see. I'm grateful for your inspiration and encouragement.
Thank you so much for sharing, Ryan. In the same boat here and so helpful to know I’m not alone in carrying the weight of my past trauma/ emotions not felt in my back causing this posture.
It feels great to hear, Rocio. You're not alone, and you are wise. May we both learn healthy posture sooner than later, at least in our lifetimes. :)
I was born with a slight scoliosis. It was never enough to get flagged in those gym-class tests where the nurse made up bend over so she could see the line of the spine. But it was enough to cause pain when I carried the bells in marching band and when I over-twisted in synchronized swimming.
After I was hit by a car as a pedestrian and got xrays from a chiropractor, he showed me just how much my spine was off.
Ten years later, I went back to the same chirpractor and asked for a comparison xray. I said I had grown two inches as a result of yoga, and I was sure the curve was gone. He insisted that was not likely as he had never seen such results in his 30 years.
Sure enough, my spine was straight.
(did I tell that the step by step process of how to connect to healthy posture is a huge part of my cohort program??? you may not have to hire that posture coach or somatic therapist)
Keep going. Do what you’re doing. Eventually it will happen. It may not be perfect but it will ok.
Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me, Grace. Thank you. 🙏😌
Funnily enough I think I have the problem of standing too straight! I was told my slouching was causing my back to give me problems and as someone who takes things a bit too literally I then always made sure to keep my back as straight as possible... When I began serious strength work in the gym my posture definitely contributed to the injuries I've been dealing with since. I've been exploring Jefferson Curls to address my mid back spinal issues and to help out with my sciatic nerve related stuff too, happy to be on the journey with you!
That is funny, Kieran. I’d always heard that we can stand up too straight, but I didn’t realize it could cause problems. Happy to be on the journey to a healthy spine with you, too. 🙌And I hope the Jefferson curls and other means relieve your pain.
Have you tried Rolfing? It really worked for me.
I’m glad you mentioned Rolfing. I thought about it years ago but never ended up making the investment. I’ll DM you, if you’re okay with that.
A good reminder for all of us, Ryan. It's 6:30 AM here and I've already told myself to stand up straight a couple of times ... before I read your piece.
Puts a smile on my face, Daryl. I feel less alone. I can picture you in your “creator studio” reminding yourself. :)
Thanks Ryan. You are a straight up guy it is clear! May your body follow your insides sooner rather than later. Thanks for writing so openly and clearly.
Thank you, Ian. Writing this piece wasn’t a possibility even a year ago, so your encouragement means a lot to me. Thank you .
Now that’s an inspiring story, Teri. I never knew scoliosis could be corrected. If you can do that, surely I can have a healthy posture too. Looking forward to learning more in time!