Improve Your Posture with Yoga

5 Yoga Poses to Improve Your Posture Posture can be genetic, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything you can do about. Tightening and strengthening your core, as well as loosening the muscles that keep your spine in alignment, can have tremendous effects on how you sit at a desk, stand, or even walk. […]

Posture can be genetic, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t anything you can do about. Tightening and strengthening your core, as well as loosening the muscles that keep your spine in alignment, can have tremendous effects on how you sit at a desk, stand, or even walk. Here are some poses from the ancient tradition of yoga that will put you on your way to sitting, standing, and walking pain-free.

Child’s Pose

This is one of the simplest poses in yoga; it is where many classes will begin. The final position has your knees under your belly, your head facing the ground, and your arms stretched out and touching the floor. Be sure to breath evenly and deeply as you achieve this pose. It works to lengthen your spine, relieving compression in the neck and shoulders.

Mountain is also very easy; it is a modified form of standing. Your feet are on the ground, and your hands are at your sides, a few inches from your hips. The trick is in rolling your shoulder blades back. This pushes your chest to move forward and allows you to reach full lung capacity. This can help alleviate stress on your lower back from hours spent sitting.

Standing Forward Bend

Standing forward begins in mountain pose. From that position, bend forward and allow your arms to fall to the floor. Then, grab your elbows with opposite hands, and breathe. You should feel your upper body slowly drop as your trapezius and erector muscles begin to stretch. This one helps to relieve compression in the shoulders and upper back caused by tightness in the shoulders.

Cobra is a more advanced yoga move; do it slowly on your first attempt. You might also want to have a mat or a towel handy. It begins by lying down on your chest with your feet together. Place your palms shoulder-width apart and use your arms to lift your torso while keeping your pelvis in contact with the mat. Curl your neck back and look up at the ceiling. As you are in cobra, you are loosening your abdominal muscles, which are responsible for keeping you upright as you sit, and strengthening your lower back.

Locust Pose

This is sometimes called the “superhero,” because of its resemblance to a flying caped-crusader, or the “crescent,” because your body is crescent-shaped in the final position. Again, lie on the mat or your towel with your stomach on the floor. Lift your chest and arms up at the same time that you lift your feet. You should be balanced on your core and pelvis. This one will over time build a strong base.

Though some of these poses are more difficult, achieving them will help you stretch and build the muscles in your core and back, aiding your posture when sitting, standing, walking, and even running. If you have any questions about any of these poses, or other ones that might benefit your posture or other aspects of your life, you can always talk to your local yoga instructor.

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by Abigail Aaronson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9250984