Your Posture:

The Correct Posture:

Your personality depends more than just on your face.If you really want to look good, hold your shoulders back, tighten your bottom, and straighten your back.Now look straight ahead at eye level, so that your head is evenly poised above the spine and your chin is at right angles to your neck.Keep your shoulders straight by pushing your chest up and out, to avoid a hunched back.Tuck in your tummy, because a bulging stomach is a feature of an unattractive posture.Initially you might have to make a conscious effort to maintain this posture, but later on it will come naturally to you.All this will give you a graceful carriage and make you feel fitter.

Your posture while you sit is also important.See that you sit in a suitable chair-the seat should be of such a height that the knee joint forms a right angle when the feet are resting on the floor.The back of the chair should conform to the shape of the spine and be firm enough to support the spine.Practise sitting down and rising up in one flowing movement, rather than in a series of awkward jerks;keep the top half of your body straight and lower yourself slowly into the chair.Once sitting, hold your back straight, keep your stomach in and your trunk pushed deep into the chair.Reaching upwards should also be a movement of the whole body, keeping your back straight and your weight evenly balanced on the balls of the feet.Remember to keep all movements relaxed and flowing, not jerky and stiff.The exercise schedule to follow will do much to improve your posture.

Observe Your Gait And Improve Upon It:

From time time, study your walking posture in shop windows, as you walk past them.Another way to check your gait is to imagine a straight line(or better still draw a straight line in the verandah) and walk exactly on that line.If you have a defective way of walking, your feet will not follow the line.Another way to find the fault with your gait is to walk barefoot with wet feet -check the impressions left by your feet.Practise regularly to get a straight line of walk.For good carriage while walking, practise walking with a book on your head.

Your Posture Routine:

Here are some excellent exercises for improving your posture:

Exercise 1:
a.Thread a ruler behind your shoulders through the armholes of a sleeveless top.This will keep your shoulders well back.
b.Keep the ruler in place for about 15-30 minutes daily.

Exercise 2:
a.Stand with feet slightly apart and arms held straight out on the side, at right angles to your body.
b.Swing both your arms backwards following a circle and then bring them back to position.
c.Repeat 30 times.