Posture Correction
After going through the books ChiRunning and ChiWalking I have decided to change some of the aspects I teach about posture section. So before here come some more changes and updates in ChiRunning book I would like to tell you that what is the most up to date way to align your posture. posture correction I myself is following this pattern for past 6 months and feeling comfortable in walking and running now. If we follow ChiRunning and ChiWalking books then we have to stand with out feet at a distance equal to our hip width and must avoid knees locking. After this step we move forward toward spine straightening step and here we can make some change. First off place one hand on belly and place other hand under the collarbone with its middle finger and thumb spread apart. Then we had you pull down with your lower hand while lifting with your upper hand to straighten your upper body. Now use your index finger in stretched position to rest on it upwardly so it can be aligned with your head and neck properly. posture correcting It is here from where various problems arise in this method as different people has long neck with short index finger and some have long index finger with short neck so it can be different from case to case. It is possible that one man would have too low chin while the other would have too high. Another reason for making this change is that it’s awkward to use this method of aligning yourself once you’re moving. So, I needed to come up with a way that everyone would be able to get their head in the right alignment without the use of their hands. So see that how easily you can do it. Place your hand on the backside of your neck and brush your fingers in an upward direction. Now you have to move towards upper direction as you are just trying to reach the sky with your head crown. In this way you can stretch the muscles present at the back of your neck and can make you chin get back to the natural position. You can also strengthen your upper spine area with no use of your hands for it. Everyone taking my walking and running class does this simple exercise. First stand in a slumped position (poor posture), then in one smooth motion reach for the sky with the crown of your head, straightening your spine and lengthening the back of your neck. This upward focus of your attention will quickly straighten your posture and actually (believe it or not) lighten your footstep by counteracting the downward motion of your foot coming onto the ground. You just have to keep your neck in correct posture and the spine will move to its position itself. It will make easier for you to level your pelvic and help to relax your shoulders. It is an important step of ‘C’ shape, a concept I am following and teaching myself not mentioned in ChiRunning book at all. If you examine the ChiRunning Posture Image you will find ‘C’ shape super imposed at the top. Now just look at the directions pointed by arrows and you will see that the arrows start from T12/L1 point and then move on to opposite directions. In ‘C’ shape you will see arrow in upper part will point towards upside showing the lengthening of neck back area while other points through the front of head region and end at chin area. The lower section of the “C” shape runs down towards the tailbone and then comes back up on the front side of the pelvis, ending at the pubic bone (when leveling the pelvis, you lift up on the pubic bone). So if you feel that you are sipping downwards just practice to shape your posture according to ‘C’ shape during all types of positions including walking, running, standing or sitting. It will give you a great feeling of bringing your mind and body together. Your posture is the absolute keystone of all your movement and structural support. Having a strong posture implies having strong center which keeps your emotional and mental balance at optimal level. So don’t leave practicing to correct posture as your life quality relies on it.










