Tips to Having a Good Posture

I've had dance teachers tell me all sorts of things to help me have a good posture...
...one teacher would punch me in the stomach (a girl ... and it hurt!)
...one World Champion mad me feel bad by saying I didn't look like a professional.
...another told me to stand against the wall (and then walk away with the same posture)
...another told me to bring my shoulder blades together
...and most recently a jazz teacher told me to think of making my chest "higher"

What would you say to help someone hold themselves upright on the dance floor?

Don't know from a dancing perspective but I was told and have done it that you should practice walking balancing a book on your head. The straighter you are, the smoother you walk, the longer the book stays on your head Then for fun, you can then try sitting down/standing up!

For the ladies, you can then try this wearing heels to check your posture/that you are not sticking your bum out too much.

From a ballet-reject perspective: I was told to imagine a string that comes from the top of my head being pulled up.

I was told the same thing Dancing Mommy. I found the book thing very helpful and I guess you could try simple steps in the studio. A book slamming on the floor is clearer (and more deafening) evidence that something is not quite straight :lol:

The Russian ballet teacher with the big stick that whacks your legs is muich clearer than the book, my dear friend, lol!

Perhaps, but it still does not help you in being aware that your body is at an angle :?

Any advice for a chronic sloucher? I'm almost willing to go with a shock collar.

Focus on keeping your shoulder blades down towards your back pockets.

Hold a quarter between your shoulder blades? Although I suppose you could still look down while doing that.

lift your shoulders up, pull them back, then drop them down....keep it there....do someevercises for your lats and your traps if you are weak there....many people who got tall early get into this kyphotic habit...and it will become permananet if you don't consciously strengthen those muscles

Get a foam roller, or something similar. Chronic slouching means the muscles in the front of your chest are probably super tight, and mental exercises can only do so much. You need to stretch.

This is the stretch you want (thanks, random google image search!)

completely agree. that being said, you will have a much better chance of fixing it if you also work the opposing muscles...

My posture tip courtesy of Skippy Blair.

The "Centering Knob" is located where the base of the neck and spine connect. Pressing that "knob" straight back... actually raises / tilts the chest cavity into a different,more raised position, and also helps center the head directly over yours hips, etc.

My most influential AT teacher would gently place his hand on the this same area, reminding me to not hunch over.

Stand sideways in front of a mirror (sans shirt and pants for best effect) and push the base of your head back without raising the chin. Do this enough that you know what it feels like.
Begin reminding yourself to do this as you go through your daily life.
Check out your posture whenever you see yourself in profile in a mirror or window.
Also add it to a check list you run through when you are dancing, and run through that list when you are on the floor.

I know someone who is going to physical therapy for being a computer jockey for years and years. I sat at his desk for a week or two, and his set up was awful for his posture.

This is a long term thing. Just keep at it.

I have interesting, half formed thoughts about slouching and your involvement with Lindy Hop.

fascination said:

completely agree. that being said, you will have a much better chance of fixing it if you also work the opposing muscles...

Click to expand...

Oh, totally. Best idea is a mix of both. Stretching won't automatically put you in the right position, but it will make it easier for the opposing muscles to do their job (and make you much less tense).

I also agree with the foam roller stretching described above. In addition, I'll give a plug to working with the Alexander Technique which also provides a great deal of body and movement awareness.