Our posture, good or bad, is a direct result of our lifestyle. Our bodies mold to the positions we are in most frequently. Posture follows movement like a shadow. Muscles that enable us to STAND TALL are underutilized and become weak, while muscles that cause our shoulders to become rounded are overused and become dominant.
Since the beginning of time, we have been standing, walking, running, but always moving. In today’s world, we spend most of our time sitting at a desk, in a car, or on a couch. Sitting results in the chest muscles tightening, causing the shoulders to rotate forward internally while the muscles of the upper back weaken– not healthy and definitely not a good look.
Posture has a direct effect on the way we look, feel, and perform, with poor posture being a leading cause of both back and neck pain. 80% of people will suffer from back pain in their lifetime and 50% from neck pain. Bad posture is also a leading cause and main risk factor in many athletic, on-the-job, and active lifestyle injuries.
A 2004 study conducted by the American Medical Athletic Association (www.amaasportsmed.org) concluded that athletes who want to optimize their performance should focus on their posture. It doesn’t stop there. In addition to improving performance, the study also concluded that improved posture can alleviate aches and pains, as well as prevent common sports injuries.
Posture is where our movements start and finish. When your body is properly aligned, your muscles, rather than your bones support your weight and thus strain and effort on the body is greatly reduced. Good posture is simply the position and alignment that allows the body to perform at its best. The weight of the head and upper body are balanced and supported by the proper postural muscles and gravity. In contrast, poor posture puts strain on the neck and shoulders causing fatigue and injury.
Posture affects everything. With great posture, our minds and bodies get energized and flow with optimal health. With poor posture, our minds and bodies are tortured by fatigue, migraines, back pain, neck pain, depression, poor circulation/digestion, and sluggish thinking and movement. Stand with ideal posture for 30 seconds and feel the difference. You will immediately feel more energized, confident, and positive.
No matter what sport or activity, core strength comes from postural awareness and training the muscles that support good posture. It’s no coincidence that all sports and fitness pursuits promote balanced posture to optimize movement, performance, and pain relief.
Exceed your potential on the yoga mat, golf course, football field, and everywhere in between. IntelliSkin is designed to work with your body by cuing its natural ability to support itself in proper alignment. Life is movement. Movement is life. Turn it back on with IntelliSkin and STAND TALL.
