Article posted 30/09/04

Posture for Women
Carol Armitage, Physiotherapist

You have given a little bit of information about your own background in gymnastics in the introduction to your book which you state lead you to an awareness of posture - can you tell us more on your own experiences and how they became your life's work?

I grew up beside a beach in New Zealand's Northland where I spent my time tumbling and rolling down sand hills, jumping over creeks and galloping my horse full speed across the farm. In terms of developing elaborate patterns of postural control this was invaluable experience.

I now know from exploring and challenging my environment at a young age, I was testing my limits, understanding balance, co-ordination and developing a sense of timing. The best athletes of today in New Zealand have often had a rural upbringing with lots of play fun.

Below are listed some possible processes or situations that could cause poor postural habits - pregnancy, a sedentary job, wearing high heels, not enough exercise, general inactivity, muscle imbalance. Can you give us your comments on these or on what you think the main causes of poor postural habits are?

Everybody asks me about high heels, and while sure wearing high heels can tip the pelvis forward and make you walk through your forefoot, the elegant high heel can be really creative for balance training, and besides, you will never convince women otherwise especially for a high priority dinner date. I think there are more intrinsic causes that you can address. A general lack of tone in the muscles, caused by not doing regular activity or exercise can be reversed. Changing and mixing up the positions to get a variety of movements can be done throughout your day rather than long period of time spent sitting at work, driving, standing all help to keep us supple.

There is a simple selection of exercises that I call the posture workout in my book that will give you a sense of overall muscle and body balance.

The idea that the 'core' of the body is key in woman's health - not just physically but emotionally and spiritually as well - is mentioned in your book. Are you able to expand on this some more?

In terms of postural awareness, a positive self-esteem is the biggest challenge we face. Women with good posture that catch your eye are not always the most beautiful or thin but have a sense of grace and inner beauty which I believe comes with a understanding of balance of many elements, both internal and external.

Lets take some examples:

Imagine you are walking along a beach with someone you enjoy being with, how you feel and look compared to when you are tired and stressed?

You can be pregnant, which can push your hips forward and round your back and make you look and feel saggy and baggy, or you can be pregnant with beautiful posture and enjoy all the curves and new shapes you have.

People will often exercise vigorously but still have poor posture, feel stressed and be in pain all day, while others could currently not be exercising as much as they would like but still carry themselves with grace and control.

I think of it in terms of your style of life rather than lifestyle. How do you live your life? This will reflect in your physical signature which people see as an expression of YOU.


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