Neck Care For Improving Posture
Good Posture:
The difference that good posture makes to the look of our bodies is enormous, mainly because when we are standing properly our abdominal muscles are in their correct supporting role and the whole body is aligned so that it looks leaner and taller. Good posture is also beneficial for our mental and physical health, some alternative therapies are based on the principle of correct posture because it can be very helpful for easing back pain, stress and even headaches.
Neck Care For Improving Posture:
A poor posture profile, such as a curved back, slumped shoulders and a head that juts forward, is commonplace. Stretching exercises can help reverse this trend before the poor posture becomes habitual.
1. Take a deep breath in and slowly begin to lift your shoulders u and back as far as they will comfortably go. ON the out breath, slowly release, beginning the upward movement again on the next breath. As your shoulder blades come down, imagine them meeting in the middle of your back. Shoulder shrugs help to release tension in the large muscles of the upper back that pull on the neck.
2. Centre your head and tuck in your chin. Put your hands behind your head, push your head against them and hold for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10-20 times. Then place one hand on the side of your head. With your chin in, push your head against your hand and hold for 3-5 seconds. Repeat 10-20 times. Swap hands and repeat on the other side. These movements help to strengthen the neck muscles.
Straightening The Spine:
This is a very simple exercise to carry out to improve your posture. Kneel on the floor, take a deep breath in, and then on the out breath drop and relax your shoulders. Imagine your head is attached to a cord tied to the ceiling. Every time you breathe out imagine the cord pulling your head up, and your spine lengthening and straightening.
Tips:
- Alexander Technique focuses on improving posture and ease of movement during simple activities such as walking, bending and lifting. It explores how the mind and body work together to perform everyday tasks.
- We all have things about our bodies we would like to change. Standing up straight and feeling confident about how we look is vital for a positive self-image.
- Improving self-image can be as simple as making positive affirmations while in a calm, meditative state. We all have qualities in which we can take pride and pleasure, and it is important to focus on these positive attributes.
