We have always been advised by our elders to stop slouching and keep our back erect. But, often we tend to slouch even without realizing because we are not in habit of sitting and standing straight. Thanks to our lifestyle, we end up as hunchbacks due t constantly working on computers and looking at our phones all day. You might not know that a correct posture can make you look taller, slimmer, and confident.
Unknowingly we strain our backs by keeping it curved for a long time. The sedentary routine and hectic working hours makes it worst to maintain the correct posture. We get so involved in our work that we hardly remember to rectify our posture which leads to aches in different parts of our body especially neck and shoulder.
What is an ideal posture?
An ideal posture is the one where the back is straight, the chest is out, the chin faces upwards, the shoulders are relaxed in square position, and the stomach is in. In short, when your body is in the straight line, you are in a correct posture.
Role of yoga in achieving the correct posture
Once you start practicing yoga, within few weeks you will start gaining awareness. For achieving the perfect posture, it is important to be aware of the body. Yoga helps in correcting the stance. With regular practice of yoga, the body is stretched and strengthened which automatically straightens the spine and the shoulders are squared.
Yoga brings changes in your posture quite soon but it is only when you become aware will you start noticing the difference and make conscious efforts to correct the stance.
5 effective asanas for improving the posture
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Tadasana – Mountain Pose
The Mountain pose is a very basic asana which forms the base for several other asanas. The pose looks very simple but as you keep on practicing the pose and try to perfect it, you will realize that you were standing incorrectly all life-long. It is the best asana for learning the correct way to stand.
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Utkatasana – Chair pose
The chair pose is one of the best yoga asanas for the posture improvement. You need to hold the body in a seated position as if you were sitting on an imaginary chair. The pose is excellent for knees, lower back, and hips. When you sit on the imaginary chair, the shoulder is stretched and back is erect. It teaches the body to align itself and gradually improve the posture.
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Virbhadrasana 1 – Warrior Pose 1
The asana is also known as the warrior pose and it has a history behind it. It is also one of the graceful yoga asanas. It is an extremely powerful pose that requires you to be as erect as you can. The pose not only works on the lower back but also soothes your shoulder plates. If you practice the asana regularly, you will soon notice significant improvement in your posture.
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Marjariasana – Cat pose
The cat pose is usually performed in combination with the Bitilasana. The combination of the two asanas primarily works on the spine and makes it flexible and strong.
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Bhujangasana – Cobra Pose
The Bhujangasana is one of the powerful yoga poses that works on opening up the chest and shoulders. The cobra pose also makes your back strong. Now, that 3 out of the 5 correct posture pointers are ticked off, the cobra pose is a must include in your posture perfecting regimen.
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Balasana – Child Pose
The Balasana is a restorative posture which works as an exercise for your back and shoulders. The asana is a great way to rectify your posture and stance while you sit and stand.
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Supta Virasana – Reclining Hero Pose
The Reclining hero pose looks quite simple can be a little complicated while performing. The asana makes sure that your back is completely straight and it also helps in opening the chest. The reclining hero is a restorative pose which relaxes you and corrects the posture.
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The 200-hour training course takes you through the nuances of yoga and transforms you physically as well as mentally.
