https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 02 May 2026 23:16:39 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-290440 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:20:20 +0000 Lena 290440@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So much good advice here. I don't have much to add.</p> <p>Another vote for yoga and pilates - it helped me a LOT! I wish I had known these things when I was much much younger. </p> <p>I've always had bad posture. First, I was in some kind of special gymnastics class. Then my parents thought swimming would help - it didn't. My Mom also used to poke me on the back - but it didn't have much positive effect because it only taught me a very bad habit of jamming my shoulder blades back and sticking my chest out, which is a NO. </p> <p>Lately, it helps me to picture lengthening my middle back, instead of tucking my bum or turning on abs or whatever else. And try to relax the trapezius muscles, those which get super tense from computer work and daily stress - ha! easier said than done!<br /> The former is a bit counter intuitive, actually, after years and years of jamming and tucking. If I were lying flat on the floor, my lower ribcage should touch the floor, not stick up (which is what would happen if I don't watch it). It helps a lot. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-290075 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:14:32 +0000 Inge 290075@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm very late to the party and loads of excellent suggestions and tips have already been given. (e.g. I've done a few Pilates classes myself and I absolutely agree that this can be very helpful). Like many of the others have pointed out: there is no quick solution here, it takes time to 'find your new posture' and develop new habits.</p> <p>First of all, thank you Angie for mentioning me specifically! It always makes me smile when someone on the forum compliments me on my posture!</p> <p>I think I've always had relatively good posture, but it wasn't until I was eleven that I was made aware of how important it actually is. After a growth spurt I was sent to a specialist because my left leg was now suddenly 0,5 cm shorter than my right leg (it still is). I can't remember exactly what that doctor said, but he must have made quite the impression. I remember driving home with my Mum after the appointment and I started practicing sitting up straighter, with my shoulders down and head properly aligned right there and then. I kept at it for the following months, I was hyper aware of my posture during all that time. But after a while I stopped thinking about it, it had become natural. I guess I trained myself into better posture;-) (and that without anyone having to nag me about it at all, ever, that was a first, and a last;-)</p> <p>However, having good posture doesn't mean one is immune to back/shoulder/neck pain unfortunately. After sitting in front of a computer for years on end, I have certainly developed my fair share of issues. Even if you are aware of your posture, I still often find myself all tensed up by the end of the day. Shoulders inching closer to my ears, hunched forward, neck and head 'sticking out' (and like Kari, being cold or stressed makes things worse).</p> <p>I went looking for some exercises I could do at home, and stumbled across this dvd.<br /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Posture-Get-Straight-Two-Disc/dp/B000Y9AELC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&#038;s=dvd&#038;qid=1296510980&#038;sr=8-2" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Posture-.....038;sr=8-2</a><br /> She appears to be quite well-known in the States? The dvd looks a bit old-fashioned but her advice and suggestions are still very valuable I think.<br /> I've never done the complete exercise set, and if you're pressed for time and can only do 3 things, then I'd suggest you try to do the following whenever you remember to:</p> <p>- the 'arm wave': helps you stand up straighter, it relaxes your shoulders, repositions your arms and helps you find the correct alignment<br /> - repositioning your head and 'tucking in' your chin<br /> - the 'doorjamb' stretch, designed to stretch the muscles in your chest, very good for people who tend to hunch forward</p> <p>Hope this helps a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289726 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:51:51 +0000 stringy 289726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm another one with terrible posture - I think someone called it a sway back once? My whole torso kind of sags forward above my hips, and my shoulders are always up around my ears! I get a gap in the back when I wear a one-piece swimsuit, which disappears if I straighten up.</p> <p>I've found that pilates helped me find the correct spot for everything, although as people have already mentioned, it takes practice. I've got too many other habits I'm trying to work on this year (exercise and healthy eating and some work stuff) so I'm going to let it go for now and maybe work on it next year. Willpower is a limited resource on a day-to-day basis, so I'm prioritising </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289657 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:22:04 +0000 Katiepea 289657@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Apologies if somebody has already suggested it, however I can vouch that Alexander Technique is an incredibly useful form of therapy that can be used to improve posture. <a href="http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.alexandertechnique.com/at.htm</a> explains AT as being: </p> <p>"Alexander Technique is a method that works to change (movement) habits in our everyday activities. It is a simple and practical method for improving ease and freedom of movement, balance, support and coordination. The technique teaches the use of the appropriate amount of effort for a particular activity, giving you more energy for all your activities. It is not a series of treatments or exercises, but rather a reeducation of the mind and body. The Alexander Technique is a method which helps a person discover a new balance in the body by releasing unnecessary tension. It can be applied to sitting, lying down, standing, walking, lifting, and other daily activities..."</p> <p>I studied AT when I was undertaking my music degree and it was amazing the difference correct alignment of my body made to my everyday function, my posture and dare I say it, my appearance. I would say that it is certainly worth considering if you are wanting to improve your posture. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289520 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 02:24:13 +0000 Theresa 289520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been an awesome thread - thanks so much for the wealth of knowledge shared here!</p> <p>Posture is one of my big things to work on at the moment - I have no reason why its so bad, it was never something I was taught about as a kid, and I suspect that pregnancy worsened it, but I have become very aware of it now and how my body feels when I carry myself well vs slouch etc...</p> <p>Another little thing that has helped (and surprised me), was to do some of the initial testing activities on Wii Fit - you have to do balance exercises and the balance board can detect your centre of gravity. I found it really interesting to note that when my COG was right, how my posture was...</p> <p>I have been rousing on my girls a bit lately about their posture - I can see me doing books on head etc too LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289462 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:03:52 +0000 Angie 289462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Debora and Taylor, my late Mum would approve </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289415 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:13:34 +0000 Debora 289415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Four words for you, Maya - Yoga to the People! I heard they just opened a new studio in Brooklyn.</p> <p>Angie, my mom used to make us walk around the house with bread baskets on our heads. I'm a meanie, I'm always nagging my kids to stop slouching. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289413 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:01:29 +0000 taylor 289413@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I must confess that I was one of those Mom's that ~gently~ but noticeably would run my finger down my daughters spine when I saw her slouch<br /> ..or would remind her when she was sitting all stooped and rounded shouldered to : " sit up, it looks more ladylike and proper"<br /> More than anything to just be aware of how you present yourself, even if you think no one is looking. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289292 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:38:59 +0000 Frances 289292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I absolutely agree with the yoga enthusiasts. Going to yoga more regularly has made me more conscious about my posture and helped to improve it. I also bought this little device a few years ago that I read about in O Magazine called the iPosture monitor (<a href="http://www.iposture.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.iposture.com</a>), and though it receives mixed reviews, I really like it when I remember to wear it. It gives off a little vibration every time you start to slouch, and I find that when I wear it on a regular basis, my posture improves significantly and I don't get those end-of-the-day shoulder blade aches that seem to result from slouching. I know everyone will respond differently, but what has worked well for me has been to increase my consciousness of my slouching so I can correct and improve my posture. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289271 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:20:22 +0000 Kari 289271@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have amazing posture, but it's far better than it was when I was a pre-teen. However, I do have to say that it worsened when I started working after college at desk jobs where I was at a computer for most of the day. For my first two years of work, the companies I worked for did not provide any sort of ergonomic support (due to budgetary reasons) so my computer monitor was at the wrong height and I was sitting in horrible chairs, basically like this: <a href="http://ergonomics.about.com/od/office/ss/computer_setup.htm" rel="nofollow">http://ergonomics.about.com/od....._setup.htm</a><br /> Making sure I am in a chair that allows me to sit up straight, with my wrists/arms right in front of me, and my computer monitor directly in front of my face (not far down on my desk) has helped a lot, and also minimized the wrist pain I was starting to have this year.</p> <p>Honestly, what *really* clicked for me was when I started playing the flute in 6th grade. (I played regularly throughout college.) Whether you are sitting or standing, you cannot take deep enough breaths or have enough control in your diaphragm if you are slouching. I learned to sit up straight, keep my head in line with my spine and my chin level, and keep my shoulders down. (When I'm cold or uncomfortable my shoulders start to rise, so I try to remind myself of this throughout the day. If I'm sitting or standing in a way where I can't take in air all the way to the bottom of my lungs, I can tell I'm slouching.)<br /> Although this website is geared towards flute players, the general posture tips are really helpful.<br /> <a href="http://www.jennifercluff.com/posture.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.jennifercluff.com/posture.htm</a></p> <p>Yoga has helped me be more aware of my body alignment as well - I'm more able to feel when I am in a healthy or unhealthy position when I take yoga classes regularly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289202 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:20:17 +0000 biscuitsmom 289202@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would highly recommend going to a chiropractor - they can work wonders with back and hip problems. I gained almost 2 inches in height after going thru a series of adjustments (they were able to reverse the damage from scoliosis) and can show you visible changes on xrays as well..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289198 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:12:52 +0000 Allison 289198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I feel for you! I am always disappointed when I see my terrible posture in pics. It is one of my goals to improve that over the next year. I am short waisted and I have relatively large shoulders and bust compared to the rest of my frame. I tend to round my shoulders forward and that makes my waist even shorter! I heard a trick once to stand in front of the mirror and envision a balloon coming out of the top of your head floating towards the sky and feel yourself being gently lifted toward the sky by the balloon from the top of your head. Sounds weird but it works for me and it does not feel like I am straining in that position. The hard part is maintaining that position without thinking about it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289156 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:48:55 +0000 Janet 289156@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll also chime in with a vote for yoga! I have scoliosis and do not find proper posture easy, but yoga helps alignment and strength of the core muscles that help us hold out bodies in a healthier manner. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture/page/2#post-289142 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 16:24:01 +0000 Angie 289142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Diana and Scarlet, thanks for sharing! Our Mums do crack us up </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289086 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:15:22 +0000 Kristine 289086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm also a fan of Esther Gokhale. Unlike Tim Gunn she stresses keeping your bottom behind you, not tucked. Ducky butt, not tucky butt she says. So anytime you're sitting or walking try to consciously allow your spine to gently curve out at the bottom. It naturally brings the shoulders back too. I've been working with this for a few months and it feels very natural and strong. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289038 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 07:19:06 +0000 anne 289038@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is indeed a very interesting thread. Maya this problem is not restricted to the large of bust, though I can see how that would affect posture.</p> <p>I am very small busted, asyou know, but my mother gently spoke to me a few weeks ago and told me I was in danger of becoming round shouldered and needed to stand up straighter.</p> <p>I think my bad posture may be related to attitude, to a feeling of wanting to be deferential not impose on people - that sort of thing.</p> <p>I'll put this thread on favourites too </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289035 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 07:14:09 +0000 Scarlet 289035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have beautiful posture but even without training I always have a trained belly because my mom spent my whole childhood telling me to keep my belly in--i.e. as opposed to letting it hang out, pull it in and straighten your lower back to give it its place within your body among your other organs. I will tell my kids the same because I am very grateful now.</p> <p>I know the gym is not the answer for you, but I also find weight lifting great because you must be aware of your posture and your core muscles and activate them before attempting anything heavy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289020 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 06:27:06 +0000 Maya 289020@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow, this is so much great information. I'm adding this thread to my favorites! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289017 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 06:15:26 +0000 Diana 289017@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, my mom used to yell at me about my posture all the time, but on me, it had the opposite effect. Basically, when someone orders me to do something, I'll deliberately resist doing it. ..</p> <p>... and now I slouch. =(</p> <p>I do find that my posture is much better when I'm wearing heels. Of course, there are many other reasons why I can't wear high heels for long though, so this is not a sustainable solution. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289015 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 06:12:35 +0000 Kate 289015@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating stuff. I think that I keep my shoulders too far forward (kinda curled rather than letting them be as broad as they are), and I've recently been thinking that I should try to correct this. Thanks for all of the great information so far!</p> <p>ETA: I have found that when I try to sit up straight, people think I'm uncomfortable, uneasy, or uptight, and tell me to relax. I'm hoping that I can find a way to have good posture and still look natural and relaxed. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289007 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:49:50 +0000 mamaKate 289007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To add one more to all the other great responses, my mom swears by Trager massage. She started when she started losing bone mass around menopause. She "grew" an inch in the first year of treatment! She swears by it for many reasons, not least of which is because it doesn't require a workout! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-289001 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:16:07 +0000 Patty 289001@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One time my son's physiotherapist used a couple strips of tape down his back to help him realize he was slouching. The tape would pull when...--yeah that didn't end well either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288995 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:08:36 +0000 Angie 288995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Sara! Thanks for commiserating. Fortunately, Mum's ultra strict no-slouching rules led to good posture. At least I have something to show for my suffering </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288989 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 05:03:28 +0000 MNsara 288989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Angie - your mom reminds me of my mom running her knuckles down my bony spine (extra bony when I slouched!) to get me to straighten up.</p> <p>I think I had selectively blocked that memory - LOL! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288963 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:23:37 +0000 Angie 288963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the great read, ladies! This was very interesting. </p> <p>Confession: My late Mum was an absolute posture tyrant. When I was little she made me walk around with a book on my head over the weekend. She also repeatedly shouted at me to stand up straight! She would also pinch me on the back to straighten me up!! These methods are not ideal at all - but they worked and now I am grateful. I stand, walk and sit very straight. Actually, my back hurts when I slouch.</p> <p>Inge has KILLER posture. I hope she chimes in! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288942 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 02:54:19 +0000 MNsara 288942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great ideas here already, but I'll recommend yoga again - the core strength gained there (or any other core building exercise) is necessary for good support/posture.</p> <p>My most excellent physical therapist also said that when you are in proper posture, you should be able to relax your muscles (said differently, that proper posture shouldn't be a massive strain on any muscles). </p> <p>He reiterated that the typical stance has hip bones forward, shoulders lifted, and head held out in front - putting strain on lower back and neck. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288925 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:56:11 +0000 danza.armonia 288925@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a fan of both yoga and pilates and while you can work on posture in nearly any yoga pose or pilates exercise, there are are a few that stand out.</p> <p>Yoga:<br /> On the strengthening front:<br /> Low cobra- use your back muscles to lift you up (not your hands)<br /> Chattaranga -keep those shoulders back elbows close to your body while contracting your abdomen. You can start on your knees and go down just a few inches. Progress all the way to the floor, when you can keep your arms/shoulders and core in the correct position (i.e. don't turn this into a western pushup)</p> <p>Pilates:<br /> The majority of prone-lying (on your belly) exercises strengthen your back extensors.</p> <p>Stretching, opening up the pectoral muscles, helps a lot. If you can find a long foam roller and lie on it lengthwise, you can slowly move your arms up and down as if you are making a snow angel and this will give you a nice pectoral stretch.</p> <p>Then in everyday life, think about lifting your torso up as if you have a string coming out of the top of your head that someone is pulling on. That will encourage more muscular support.</p> <p>As a fellow larger-busted gal, I hear you 100%. The majority of counteracting this is strengthening. And the benefits are not only appearance, you'll find yourself able to do more in everyday life. All the best! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288921 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:34:03 +0000 Megan 288921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have bad posture too- particularly when sitting. I've just gone back to the gym and am finding weights (to strengthen my back) and yoga and pilates (to strengthen my core and promote more flexibility) are helping. </p> <p>Maya, if there's a Lululemon store near you they all offer free yoga classes (I think there's one near Lincoln centre if memory serves me well)- it might be worth checking out. Their classes here in Sydney are great :)</p> <p>ETA: just checked and there are 4 NYC locations<br /> * East 66th<br /> * Lincoln Square<br /> * SoHo<br /> * Union Square</p> <p><a href="http://www.lululemon.com/stores/" rel="nofollow">http://www.lululemon.com/stores/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288913 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 01:13:30 +0000 Jennifer 288913@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have terrible posture too. Obviously, some great suggestions have been made here already, but in my journey to standing tall and straight, I've realized it's all in the core! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/good-posture#post-288893 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:18:04 +0000 Steph 288893@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, there are some great suggestions here. I have two to add (but I suspect you won't like them!):<br /> 1.) I think that part of your problem probably is related to the weight of your breasts. I would try to do some back exercises to build up the muscles you need to hold your back straight while still supporting your breasts. </p> <p>2.) Part of having good posture is holding in your stomach and butt. If that is part of the problem and the techniques above don't get you quite there, you might want to work on your core strength as well. You probably won't have to do that, but I thought it was worth a mention, just in case. </p>