Energize with Proper Posture

[Cricket_Guru]

These 3 posture stretches that will make you feel great!

Did you know poor posture makes you tired? It?s a fact! When your shoulders are slumped forward you cannot fully inflate your lungs, and without enough oxygen you will feel tired. Your muscles work harder to hold you in poor posture than in good posture. You?ll feel great when you stand up straight?and you?ll look taller, too!

Do the Posture Check!




It is as easy as 1, 2, 3! You can check your posture while sitting in front of your computer. Sit in your chair feet flat on the floor, then?
1. Slump your shoulders forward as far as you can.
2. Next, pull your shoulders back and press your chest forward.
3. Finally, position your shoulders in the middle of the two postures.

Here is a hint: your ears, shoulders and hips should be aligned. Congratulations! You now have perfect posture!


Do the Computer Break Stretch!




Sometimes when I am sitting at my computer for too long, my body gets stiff and I find my shoulders slumping forward. Does this ever happen to you? Well, if it does, just take a "get-up-and-get-away" break! I take a short break every 15 minutes and move my body. You don?t have to go far--just get up and do this mini-workout while standing at arms-length behind your computer chair, facing your monitor.
1. Start by marching in place, and look right, center, left, center, 8 times.
2. Do 8 low-knee marches and 8 high-knee marches.
3. Do 8 shoulder rolls forward and 8 shoulder rolls backwards.
4. Do 16 hamstring curls, holding onto the back to your chair, feet hip-width apart?alternate lifting your heels up behind you.
5. Turn to the right and do 16 alternating forward kicks, lifting your knee first and then extending your leg, (be careful not to lock your knee joint).
6. Face the monitor and do 16 mini squats. Hold onto the back of your chair, feet hip-width apart, and bend your knees slightly 16 times. Look down at your feet, and be careful not to let your knees go past your toes.
7. Repeat the exercises.


Do the T-shirt Stretch!



This stretch will help put your body back in good posture, and you can do it anywhere! Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Imagine you are wearing a long t-shirt that reaches all the way down to your toes. Bend forward and reach down to your toes. Cross your hands and imagine you are grabbing the bottom of the t-shirt. Roll up slowly, keeping a slight bend in your knees, and "take off" the t-shirt over your head. Bring your arms down to your sides. You will be in good posture.