Stand up straight! Don't slouch!

Yeuch. These are the authoritarian orders that trigger a reaction in us that is not exactly positive...and that we may associate with the term 'good posture'.

However our posture can have a big effect on our life and health, so it's a good idea to make it into our friend...and so I like to use the term

'Spacious Posture'

because this language creates a physical response in us that does us good.

We may well have been led to believe that we ought to 'stand up straight'; and although an upright stance is natural for humans,

     
in fact our skeleton is not built to be 'straight'...our spine is naturally curved, as you can see in this picture.

So actually we need to allow ourselves to have a posture that is in accordance with nature's intelligent design for us!

When Posture is your Enemy:

# You have chronic tension, which causes energy depletion;

# You may look & feel tired, sluggish, stressed, fearful or self-conscious.

# Your movement is not free and easy;

# Your breathing is impaired;

# You may get habitual aches and pains;

# The overall setup of your muscles will mean that singing is done with undue effort and thus doesn't sound as good as you'd like it to, or you may get a sore throat.

# Your singing is not as expressive as it could be.

But when Posture is your Friend (e.g. you step into Spacious Posture):

# You look and feel confident;

# All the muscles are arranged well to make singing easy;

# A vast amount of bodily tension is released; (and tension hinders the vibrations so essential to good singing)

# It keeps energy flowing, generating richer expressiveness in your singing and spoken voice;

# It enables you to breathe more deeply and optimally.

(These are some of many benefits)

So, what can you do allow your body to find the posture that it's designed for?

Importantly, we need to know that 'instructions' or 'orders' to get ourselves in such-and-such a position are self defeating.

We need to use language and guidance that stimulates the body's own intelligence to reawaken the right posture and bodily use.

So here is your Pocket-sized Posture aid:

I recommend that you find a few moments to yourself, and initially do this standing up, with your feet hips-width apart and parallel.

Speak these sentences out loud or internally, as an invitation:
 
# I allow the neck to be free.

# I let my head be hooked up to a cloud.

# I let my back lengthen and widen.

# I allow my shoulders to melt away from my neck.

# I let my tummy relax.

# I allow my knees to release.

As you do it, notice how your body responds, even if only subtly. This will bring about very positive changes in your posture, because it will start to unravel some of the repetitive unconscious poor habits that we apply to ourselves daily.  Repeat the sequence a few times. Use this Posture Aid every day. Enjoy!

And Finally...

I'm excited to tell you that I'm currently concocting a valuable tool for you, which will facilitate a steady shift towards the Spacious Posture that will serve your life and singing in so many beneficial ways..so look out for news of that in the near future. 

Let me know what you think of this article by leaving me a comment below.