Heading to a pool party and wish you could erase pounds stat? Never fear, proper posture is here! These tips from Janice Novak, author of bestseller Posture, Get It Straight!, will have you looking and feeling better (with fewer neck and back pains):
Mirror image: Start by catching a glimpse of your profile in the mirror: you should be standing with your ear, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle all aligned in a straight line. This 1-minute technique erases inches off your mid-section (comes in handy when you’re sporting an itsy bitsy yellow polka-dot bikini).
Don’t be a heel: While strappy sandals are de rigeur in summer, it’s time to retire them. Any heel above an inch-and-a-half affects how your weight-bearing joints (read: ankles and knees) fit together and ultimately cause the upper body to slump forward.
Straighten out your breathing: Work on your breathing and your posture will automatically improve. Start by inhaling, then exhaling through your mouth (imagine blowing air out through a straw) and think about pulling your belly-button toward your back.
For more of Novak’s exercises and tips, visit www.improveyourposture.com.
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