Your posture says so much about you! The perfect outfit, immaculate makeup, and beautiful hairdo will not camouflage poor posture. I remember as a little girl walking around inside my home with a book on my head to improve my posture. Did y'all do this?
The way you stand and they way you sit can make you seem more confident and attractive. Perfect posture not only keeps you looking youthful, it also helps to alleviate headaches, back pain, and neck pain. Standing up straight increases your height and is the fastest diet trick ever...you will instantly appear to lose 10 pounds!
Do you have good posture? Have someone take your full length photo from the front and the side. Your head and neck should be centered above your torso. Your chin should be parallel to the floor. Your back should be straight. Your shoulders should be pulled back, down, and relaxed with your core muscles pulled in. Tuck your buttocks under and keep your knees relaxed and your feet forward.
This chart illustrates perfect posture on the top and types of poor posture on the bottom.
The manicurist on the left is displaying poor posture and the right illustration shows her spine aligned correctly.
It's is so easy to slouch, right? I am constantly correcting my posture and I assure y'all that it is more difficult to maintain proper posture as you age. I hope y'all won't follow the look of the "Runway Model Slouch" of today or the "Debutante Slouch" which was in fashion years ago! The rounded shoulders and relaxed stomach is tres chic with some, but over time, poor posture will take a toll on your shoulders, spine, hips, and knees.
So how can you improve your posture?
- Balance a book on your head and practice walking.
- Stand as if a string were pulling you up from the top of your head.
- Sit up straight and don't work humped over at your desk.
- Consult a personal trainer who can assist you with exercises to strengthen your spine and build core strength.
So start practicing to improve your posture. Sit up straight. Stand up straight. Smile and project an image of confidence!
This is such wonderful, timeless advice Miss Janice. I so agree good posture is key to one's appearance of beauty and confidence!
ReplyDeleteIn this digital world with everyone slumped over their desk at their computer, laptop, iPad, iPhone, or whatever.... It is a daily habit to remind ourselves to sit up or stand up straight.
I also think good shoes can attribute to good posture, as well.
Have a Wonderful Day, Net
We all need to remember to stand and sit up straight.
DeleteExcellent tips Miss Janice I declare I do not know when my posture became so off balance. Oh my stars it's just awful I must fix it right now. Perfect timing for me. I'm at a desk all day long I fear I'll be Quasimodo. I recently heard some women are going back to wearing corsets to help with postures. hmmmm no slouching in one of those things for sure ;)
ReplyDeleteCorsets and long line bras help maintain good posture...and a smooth figure!
DeleteWonderful reminder and excellent illustrations! I must start practicing perfecting my posture again.
ReplyDeleteI'm always correcting my posture!
DeleteI have been struggling with posture lately. I blame it on spending so many hours at a desk without the proper kind of work chair! Thanks for the tips :)
ReplyDeleteXX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
Sit up straight Miss Sassy:)
DeleteThank you for the reminder, Miss Janice. I try to be aware of my posture at all times...and to that I add a 'pleasant' look on my face. In Ronda Rich's book, she shares how a pleasant look can change the way everyone responds to you. Whew, we're busy keeping up with all this. I hope you're keeping warm.
ReplyDeleteKathleen
Don't you just love that Ronda Rich book?!
DeleteVictim of the old debutante slouch here. I must always be aware of my posture or I look 10 years older. Now, who would want that! I remember walking with the book in physical education. Some of the girls with the most hideous posture could balance the book effortlessly and some of those with beautiful posture and graceful gait could not. Our instructor said it had to do more with the shapes of our heads but "the book" was a concrete way to get us to think about our posture and the way we carried ourselves. All part of deportment which was highly stressed.
ReplyDelete"Like you are dangling from a string." :). Makes it easy to remember!
ReplyDelete