Posture

When most people use the word "posture," they are usually referring to the positioning of the various parts of the body. While this is an adequate definition, it makes the assumption that posture is static, either in the seated or upright position. Posture is actually the structural base from which we begin all movements. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of our daily activities, we need to be concerned with dynamic, as well as static, postural alignment.

Good posture serves as a structural base that allows us to respond to outside forces, such as the force of gravity. When we deviate from correct posture, we change the position of our center of gravity. This in turn has an adverse effect on the ability of our muscles and bones to perform efficiently.

Good posture allows the muscles in the body to function in a way that ensures the appropriate length-tension balances between different pairs of muscle groups. To understand the concept of muscular imbalances, think of your place of employment. Most offices have at least one person who tends to shoulder a good deal of the work load. Eventually, they get overloaded with work, which in turn leads to burnout and inefficiency. In the meantime, since the over-worker is doing much of the work load, the other employees are not working enough, so their skills are atrophied.

Your muscles work the same way. Most people tend to overwork the larger muscle groups, while ignoring many of the important smaller groups. This not only leads to movement inefficiency, but it can cause headaches, back aches, neck tension, and other types of injury. At BetterPosture.com, our CD, DVD and exercise book can help you learn the secrets to better posture. Start today and begin to take control of the tension and body aches that have detered you from enjoying your life.