Body

Is Your Posture Wreaking Havoc on Your Body?

Signs your posture isn't ideal and what to do about it.

by Wendy Rose Gould | COMMENT

PHOTO 8/11

Stretch Well and Stretch Often If you've already got a good yoga habit, keep it up! Otherwise, incorporating deep stretching into your workout regimen — yoga or otherwise — is very important for your long-term health and posture.

Joyce says that a deep lunge position is a great anterior hip opener, and that a foam roller placed underneath the spine while you lay down with the arms out to the side will put a great stretch across the chest. He says, "Try to spend a minimum of two minutes in these positions, but of course the longer you spend sitting the more time it will take to counteract."

Yalamanchili also recommends a good pectoral stretch for those who sit in front of a computer throughout the day. "Stand in a doorway or at the corner of two walls. Bend your arms and place forearms against the wall with the elbow at shoulder height. Slowly turn your body away from one arm till you feel a stretch through your chest and shoulder," he advises. Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds and repeat for three reps, then repeat on the other side."

Image via FreshSplash/Getty

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