How we do one thing is how we do all things …

The way we are physically has a huge impact on how we are in all ways.  So, here’s simple and fun thing to try to see what your posture is like and improve how you stand, walk and live.

Read up to number 7 – but do not read any further (see if you can …)

1. Find somewhere you are on your own (some of these things looks a bit weird!)
2. Stand upright, in a clear space in the room – make sure you are safe …
3. Put your toes on a line on the floor – this can be anything, a line on the flooring, the edge of a rug, level with a desk or cupboard, doesn’t matter, just notice where your toes are on the floor and remember this.
4. Close your eyes and … march on the spot! Yep, told you it’ll look weird!
5. Do this for maybe 10 seconds, just march on the spot, swing your arms, pick your feet up.
6. After 10 seconds or so, stop. DON’T MOVE
7. Open your eyes …

Don’t read past here until you have done 1-7 …

OK – that’s the weird bit over with 😊

Do 2 Checks

Now, check out a couple of things …

Firstly, have you moved on the floor?  Are your toes still on that line where you started?  If they aren’t, you are not standing upright.  If your toes moved forwards, you lean forwards when you stand and walk.  If your toes are back from the line, you lean backwards when you stand and walk.  Simple as that.

Now this isn’t a major issue – few will find that their toes are exactly in the same place as when they started.  It’s life …

Second check …

• Look directly down at the floor between your feet.
• Notice the point on the floor where you look.

If you looked directly between your feet, you have equal weight on each foot.

If you looked closer to one foot than the other, you have more weight on that foot.  So for example if the point you looked at is closer to your left foot, you have more weight on your left foot than your right.

So what … ?

Simply put, the least effort for the body is to be upright so that your weight goes down though your bones.  If you lean forwards, your back and legs will be tight to stop you falling forwards.  This makes these muscles work harder and they are more prone to aches and pains.  Backache is worse if you lean forwards for instance …

Similarly, the most stable position and least effort is if you have more or less equal weight on each foot.  If you load one foot more than the other, that side takes more load and tires more easily.  It can also lead to joint strains etc.

What to do next …

You don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to – that was a fun 5 minutes.  Try it with your other half at home later and see how they are 😊

If you wish to though you could make some changes …

To correct the forwards/backwards leaning … close your eyes and rock forwards and backwards a little until your weight seems equal on the balls of your feet and your heels.  This will mean you are pretty much upright.  Try to do this when you stand up and before you walk – it will feel odd to begin with but it will soon become second nature.

If your weight is more to one side, try this …

If your weight is more on your left, move your left foot a couple of inches to your left.  If it was your right, move than one a couple of inches right.  Now rock your weight side to side until you feel about equal on each foot.

Again, aim to do this when you stand and before you walk.

Body awareness is helpful.

This is one of the many tests I do as part of the postural assessments.

Call me if you’d like to discuss what you found 07836 545 382.