Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Posture perfect
By Shiroma Benaragama
How many times have you heard people say it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it that counts?

Personality Plus
The way you carry yourself says a lot about your personality. If you squirm and slouch around, it shows your lack of confidence. And if you don't think you're great, then why would anyone else? So stand tall. Pull your stomach in, hold your head high and throw your shoulders back.

Health Benefits
Not only does a good posture work wonders for personality development, it's good for your health too. If you slouch, you can bet that you're more likely to have back problems than someone who doesn't.

Not only that, but you're not breathing right either. Ever think about how every time anyone asks you to take a deep breath, you straighten up?

No? Well, think about it now. You don't stand straight, you're not breathing all the way to the bottom of your lungs and your body is not getting the oxygen it needs.
Practice, Practice

Changing your posture and the way you walk is not easy. You may straighten yourself in front of the mirror before stepping out but somewhere along the way you lose track and before you know it, you've got back your slouch. Remember, it has to be a conscious effort. And it takes practice.

Pull your stomach in and you will automatically straighten out. At times, when you try to straighten your shoulders you may tend to push them up instead of back, so push them down. Get your shoulders right by crossing your hands at your back and holding on to the opposite elbows.

Draw an imaginary line on the ground beneath your feet. Your footprints should fall on either side, as close to the line as possible. Toes pointing outward, not inward. This gives the impression of being knock kneed - unless, of course, you ARE knock kneed in which case you need to see a professional.

Elgance
Okay, now just because you don't slouch doesn't mean you've got it made. Ever notice how your eyes are sometimes drawn to a person simply because of how he or she carries herself? Elegance is something you can achieve, even if you are not born with it. All it takes is determination and practice.

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