Here’s a better description of my movement experiment illustrating a common faulty posture. Do this standing, and only mildly and briefly:

1. Depress your sternum.
2. Move your whole pelvis a little forward, so it’s over the front of your feet.
3. Notice that your belly is somehow both shortened and pushed forward, and how your lower back has to work much harder to maintain your uprightness.

To drift back into better skeletal support (and to reclaim your long belly and strong back) simultaneously lift your sternum, move your pelvis back, and lengthen your pubic bone.

The book I mention is Esther Gokhale’s 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. Here’s it is on Amazon (not an affiliate link). I love the book’s history lessons, theory, and photographs.

For changing posture and movement habits I much prefer Feldenkrais lessons like these over this book’s exercises, but that’s of course my bias.

The Long Belly, Strong Back workshop includes

• Lesson 1: Long Belly, Strong Back (Patrons)
• Take a 5-10 minute break, then listen to Discussion 1 (10m)
• Lesson 2: Head Under the Gap (Patrons, 32m)
• Take a short break, then listen to Discussion 2 (this recording)

This workshop was recorded in the global online Feldenkrais Festival on Nov 14, 2024.