Standing in the tree pose can help improve balance and stability.
Maintaining good posture can make you appear tall, slender and more confident. Good posture also keeps your spine and back properly aligned and can reduce the risk of chronic back and neck pain. Proper balance can also make you feel more graceful and allows your mind and body to achieve a healthy equilibrium. With practice, you can improve both your balance and posture, which can help you feel stronger and more confident.
Instructions
Improving Posture
1. Align your ears, shoulders and hips when you stand. Imagine a vertical line down your body through these areas and keep yourself straight with the line. Remind yourself of this imaginary line consistently throughout the day. Do not lean backward and push your hips out or lean forward, which can round your shoulders.
2. Use an ergonomic office chair if your job requires you to sit for several hours at a time. Look for a chair with a curve in the backrest that will follow the natural curve of your lower back. This will improve your posture when sitting and will be more comfortable than a typical office chair with no lower back support. When sitting, keep both feet flat on the floor.
3. Move around throughout your day. You are more prone to slouching when your body stays in one position for most of the day. Stand up, move and change positions as often as possible to keep your back from feeling sore and your muscles from feel stiff and achy.
Improving Balance
4. Take yoga classes or perform yoga poses at home. Yoga improves concentration, flexibility and physical stability, all of which can contribute to a better sense of balance. Doing yoga for longer periods of time can help lengthen and align your spine, which will contribute the added benefit of better posture. Even doing basic yoga stretches will have a positive impact on balance and strength.
5. Perform the tree pose, a yoga stance that specifically focuses on improving balance. To perform the tree pose, stand straight and place one hand on your chest. Place your left food near the inside of your right thigh and shift your weight to the right foot. Stand this way for 30 seconds and breathe as deeply as possible. Repeat on the opposite foot.
6. Exercise on a balance ball or workout ball. Work as many major muscle groups as you can on this ball, which will help improve your balance and strengthen muscles. Strengthen your abdominal and back muscles by doing crunches, sit-ups and push-ups on the ball. You can even lift light weights on a balance ball.
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