Tighten your Belt to Correct your Posture

As a dancer, correct posture is very important. In general, posture is very important. It affects every area of your mind, heart and body. Posture aligns all your bodily functions... breathing, digestion, flexibility, strength. Most people spend their whole day slouched over a computer, then come home watch tv. People are slouched over a lot and their whole body becomes misaligned and all of its functions don't work properly together. Or they don't work together well.

Some of the best posture can be seen in the body's of dancers, athletes of all kinds, people who take yoga. Think of Fred Astaire, Cyd Charise, Gene Kelly. With proper posture, you move through the air with the greatest of ease (ha, ha). But it's true. When your body is in proper alignment, the air "flows" around you.

I noticed when I go out dancing that the "air" around the good dancers is different. I would find myself standing in a particular place and when I would really look around, it would usually be where the good dancers were. The air feels clearer, smells better, it's joyful, intoxicating. There's more light. Some of it has to do with just being around great artistry and some of it has to do with you need really good posture to dance well... beautifully. Some of its because the air flows around them. It feels great too.

I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. I know that my posture is getting bad. I've been walking around with a belt tied right around my waist, just above the hip bone as tight as I can do it and still breathe. When I do that, I notice that my body straightens up. I started walking and dancing like that. It's made me even more aware of the importance of posture. Especially as I've gotten older and I enjoy being in shape, being strong. being more flexible. I've ALWAYS be physically active. I love it. I was working out before it was in "fashion." In my training to be an instructor, I learned more about posture.

Good posture means your head is held high, shoulder back, chest out, hips over your heels. You don't want to be rigid, but you do want to be "toned" and relaxed. It also helps you maintain good balance. Makes a difference in how you feel about yourself too. When you have good posture and your helping your entire body, heart and mind to function well, you feel good about yourself. You know you look good and your overall health is greatly improved.

So I walk around the house with a fabric belt tied tight around my waist... as close to my hip bones as possible and I straighten up.

Helps me feel great and stay in shape.