[louisagerard]

Does anyone know how I can improve my posture? I have a bad habit of not sitting up straight or I walk with my shoulders bent forward. Can I somehow help myself with this problem before I turn into the hunchback of notre dame... I am in my upper 20's. Any advise is appreciated.

[Emland]

Just being aware of yourself will help you with your posture. It's kind of like keeping your stomach pulled in. It makes you look better and helps your back at the same time. The longer you do it, the less you have to think about it.

Try rolling your shoulders back then setting them in alignment over your hip bones. It is a technique I learned in my dance class that keeps you straight. Yoga and Pilates will also help with your posture. The best thing about good posture is that it makes your figure look better!

[GoldieMae]

To add to Emland's very good advice, you should work on strengthening your core muscles. Instead of sitting all the way back in a chair, sit forward, and pull in your stomach muscles as you sit. This forces your spine to align properly. With your core pulled in and your back aligned, your shoulders will fall in place and will not want to pitch forward. When you walk and stand, also think about those core muscles. Try to think of a string inside of your body that is being pulled upward and pull your muscles gently in the direction of this imaginary string. In other words, try to pull your muscles to the very center of your abdomen area.

You will begin to notice that it is uncomfortable to hunch your shoulders forward if your core muscles are pulled upward toward the center of your body.

One bonus is that holding this posture will give you a more lady-like walk as well, which adds to the allure.

And if you have ever had a baby, strengthening the core does a good job of pulling everything back into place after birth.

[fallen2grace]

Mm. Just get in the habit of sitting up straight. Weather its watching t.v or on the computer.