Posture is important, in my view.

You might come across articles about posture from time to time. Some people think it’s worth working on, while others don’t see the need. It seems like we’re often prone to postural stress, whether we’re slumping in our chairs or holding our posture too stiffly (like the ‘sit up straight’ command!).

Just so you know, good posture isn’t about being perfectly straight like a broom handle! A flexible and balanced posture, where you can easily adjust your posture as needed, is probably the best balance between these extremes.

Does it require a lot of effort, exercise or training? Probably not, but it’s always a good idea to remind yourself from time to time to think about how you’re sitting or standing to make everything feel more comfortable. Of course, there are many factors that affect posture, with gravity being the biggest one—the push and pull of the earth. Work-related issues, like lifting, sitting awkwardly or for long periods, also play a role. Plus, we need to consider our genetic and anatomical challenges, which can lead to structural issues or simply muscles that aren’t working at their best. To add to it all, we might also be dealing with how we feel, possible fatigue and pain or injury, all of which can make it hard to keep going.

Imagine how much better it would feel if we could ease the strain on our necks, shoulders, backs and even our feet by simply pausing to consider our posture. Perhaps the first sign of this change would be relaxed shoulders or even a more natural, deeper breath. Perhaps simply becoming aware of our breathing and gently releasing our shoulders could be a great starting point? It might also help with digestion and circulation. Taking a moment to ensure we are sitting or standing well can also be a preventative measure, reducing the risk of degenerative stresses that can lead to osteo-arthritis and improving our body’s ability to circulate blood, water and fluids. I also believe that using our muscles and bones in a balanced and well-aligned way must help strengthen them.

It is quite easy to fall into a comfortable and familiar pattern of sitting or standing, probably because we have become accustomed to it. Is this a bad thing? Is it really the best way to be? There is no right or wrong, but offering ourselves different movement and stillness patterns that remain comfortable and easy can be beneficial. Sometimes, having someone with a trained and understanding eye can provide reflection or an ‘aha’ moment that makes things easier, keeps things simple and avoids overthinking or overdoing.

In my opinion, a comfortable and balanced posture is the foundation of any practice, whether it is yoga or Sportsyoga. If we can spend some time with this, it might not seem particularly exciting at first. I think the excitement comes later, with less muscle tightness, fewer back problems and better breathing. Looking back, I sometimes wish we had paid more attention to this earlier!