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1. Skeletal System Support
Our skeletal system is the primary support for our upright bodies, not our muscles. Muscles become strained trying to hold us up. We loose flexibility. Muscles are happiest when free for activity. That's nature's design.
2. Building Blocks Stacked
When the building blocks of our body are well stacked (aligned), then gravity actually helps support us instead of wearing us down. Problems can arise when the head is forward, shoulders are rolled forward, the rib cage is behind the hips, the low back is excessively swayed(lordosis), and/or the knees are locked. Sometimes joint pain is simply a matter of biomechanics.
3. Ears over Shoulders over Hips
Seen from the side, the ears are over the shoulders and over the hips. The pelvis is then in neutral and supporting the upper body. When the head is gently balanced on the top of the spine, neck, shoulder and back muscles can relax.
4. Balance and Symmetry
The right and left sides of our bodies are balanced and symmetrical instead of one side dominating. Ideally, the body is also balanced front to back and top to bottom.
5. Shoulders and Hips Forward
Our shoulders and hips are facing forward instead of our torso being twisted.
6. Equally Weighted
We are equally weighted on both feet and hips instead of settling into one side.
7. Knees over Toes
Looking at the body from the front, one can draw an imaginary ladder. On each side of the body, the ball of the hip joint is over the knee which is over the center of the forefoot. The rungs between the joints are parallel. You would feel confident standing on this ladder. Otherwise, the body can create unconscious tension to keep from falling - like clinching in the jaw, diaphragm or belly, or locking the knees.
8. Spinal Elongation
The spine is elongated and lifted instead of collapsed which limits breathing, circulation and digestion.
9. Feet and Knees Face Forward
The feet and knees point forward instead of straying off to one side. The body is designed for walking - forward. Any body part not carrying its weight correctly forces other joints to overwork (compensate).
10. Neutral 'Open' Position
Posture is neutral and 'open.' This signals availability and receptivity to others. Body language, like crossed arms or a collapsed spine, speaks louder than words.
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