Taking time with posture exercise is key to improvement

PostureMedia:  AARP Prime Time Focus with Alyne Ellis (Part 4 of 5)

There is hope for those who feel “doomed” to poor, weak posture.

Dr. Steven Weiniger, expert on posture, tells Alyne Ellis with AARP Radio that exercise can help you improve – if you work at it safely and systematically.

“CPEP Certified Posture Specialists] teach people to focus on how they’re balancing, how they’re aligning, and how they’re moving by exercises designed to focus them on one element.”

Having a Posture Specialist guide you in posture-improving exercises ensures that you’ll go through the progressions at the right pace.  But if you’re a DIYer, Dr. Weiniger has one very important tip:  Be aware of your ability, your form, and don’t rush the process.

Listen to the interview below for instructions on a basic balancing exercise to start bettering your posture.

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AUDIO TRANSCRIPT

AARP:  INTRO – “Exercise promotes StrongPosture®- if you work at it systematically.” Dr. Steven Weiniger.

WEINIGER:  So we teach people to focus on how they’re balancing, how they’re aligning, and how they’re moving by exercises designed to focus them on one element. And the beginning of that would be focusing on balance: Standing as tall and straight as you can – not stiff, but standing tall – then lifting one foot so your thigh is parallel to the ground. And then trying to hold that for 5 slow breaths.

AARP:  Don’t rush the process.

WEINIGER:  If someone finds that if they lift one foot up and they’re wobbling back and forth, touch the wall or stand in a doorway – especially for older people. With two hands on a doorway, and lifting one leg up but standing tall, the imperative – the goal – being standing tall.

AARP:  Work on this until you don’t have to touch the wall. This exercise, and others, retrains your muscles to promote StrongPosture®. Dr. Weiniger’s book is Stand Taller~Live Longer. Tomorrow: Getting a posture assessment. That’s Prime Time Focus brought to you by AARP. I’m Alyne Ellis.