Advice on balance, posture, rigidity in thought + behaviour

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Hi,

Can somebody suggest some advice/information to me for helping with balance and posture.

Also, I was wondering if anybody has any advice on overcoming rigidity in thought and behaviour/movement.

Thank you

Squats are great, and deadlifts. You can use barbells for squats to begin with, and a straight bar for deadlifts. You don't need much weight to straighten your posture. You'll find plenty of instructional videos on YouTube demonstrating correct form. Squats on Monday and deadlifts on Thursday. Remember to eat properly.

Hey There Warrior 88. Welcome to WP.
To help you with balance and posture I recommend simple beginner Yoga exercises or beginner Tai Chi. I also very strongly recommend The MELT Method by Sue Hitzmann. I use her techniques and they have really helped me tremendously. You can get her book on Amazon.

As far as rigidity of thought, that is a little harder. I suffer from that in some areas as well and my husband, mom, and brother point it out to me because often times I don't even know that I am doing that. I think some of it has to do with insecurity but I also think that part of it is because my brain has a hard time changing directions sometimes or thinking in a different pattern. With the insecurity, you just have to try to trust that it's okay to try something different and that can be hard. So you start with little insignificant things.

One of those little insignificant things for me is that every time we go out to eat, I tend to get a burger. I just happen to love burgers and I feel comfortable and secure when I get one. I have had other dishes when I have gone out especially if the place we go does not serve burgers. There was one place where we used to eat where I would always get the tuna melt. But burgers are kind of like what I get because of the security and familiarity factor. Now I won't have a meltdown if I have something other than a burger or they are not on the menu, but if they are then that is what I will usually get 95% of the time.

Now my brother who is quite a foodie always encourages me to try things other than burgers when we go out to eat with him. And even if I get a burger he will always let me taste whatever he gets. He does this to try to gently encourage me to expand my horizons and feel secure and good about ordering other things. So he will encourage me to look at the entire menu other than just the burger page. And this is good because it makes me think in a way that is not so rigid when I am looking at a menu. And if I do end up with a burger he will usually lovingly tease me about it but if I order something else he will get all excited and give me a high five.

So even something as simple as that can help you learn to be more flexible in your thinking and using simple things to practice will help you translate that to other things as you get better at it. And it's funny because now even with my burgers since my brother has been encouraging me I have now expanded to medium well rather than well done and crinkle fries or onion rings rather than regular fries. That is a huge accomplishment for me! ;D

Last edited by skibum on 28 Jul 2014, 8:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.

There are many things that people do. Some do not work as good as they think when it comes to posture. Basically you know if you are spot on when you keep your head up (not looking down) back and neck naturally arched. And walking on a curb in a straight line with your arms down. FOREVER. The only way to do this is if your posture is correct for you, and your body is in balance. Some people have one shorter leg, or injuries and stuff. Than you just have to do the best you can. When you excersize, practice ninjitzu, or whatever, you must always remain balanced, and find your center (an imaginary +). It is different for everyone. Aside from what most people think, it is best to exercise the back of your arms, and legs, and your back, shoulders, and shoulder blade areas. Not so much the front like most people do to look all buff. Meaning chest, biceps. Etc. those people are actually not as balanced as you may believe. They also use alot of energy to use their bodies. They are relatively weak hitters, and kickers, because they have too much resistance when they move. Their mass is in the wrong areas. People think they look good though.

Buy a very good office chair and mattress to prevent further posture problems. A good office chair can run 500-800, but they will usually last about 15 years. They have all sorts of adjustments and will help with your back.

If you are talking about when walking, walk on a curb every single day. Do this in an area where there are little to no cars. It will help you walk in a straight line, and if you fall off, you shouldn't get too hurt because it's only a few inches in height.

Rigidity in thought I'm not sure about unless you mean black and white thinking. My advice is to analyze the crap out of your behaviors and thoughts and to come up with solutions beyond what you are used to. Try to debate on the side of a topic that you absolutely hate. It can help open your mind, even if you will never agree with that opinion.

The movement might be harder. What you may want to try is getting used to having your arms and legs loose. By this I mean try to walk around in your home like you have arms and legs made of spaghetti. It can be fun and silly. It can help you get used to not always walking and bending a certain way.

That's an interesting idea. Maybe reading books and articles written from a perspective with which one disagrees would help, too.

I agree it might help. It will probably be horrible at first, but just keep in mind the end goal.

First of all, WELCOME, Warrior88----I hope you'll be very happy here!! !

As for rigidity in thought and behavior: I feel skibum, as always, gave some GREAT advice!! ! Start with something small (I think she used the term "insignificant"), and go from there. With every success, comes confidence and "bravery" to try the next thing. If you're not successful right-away, keep at it, you will be!! !

As for "rigidity in movement": the person who said to walk around the house with spaghetti arms, was a GREAT suggestion. Also, I might add too.... when you get ready to walk-out the door, start saying to yourself "spaghetti arms, spaghetti arms, spaghetti arms"----or, whatever little mantra that you can think-of that you think will help. Then, say it all the way to where-ever you're going; then, when you're getting engaged with people, work, or whatever, it'll slip your mind, but just, as soon as you can, think of your mantra, to get yourself back on track. This is what I do, to control my Tourette's, so I won't look like a spaz in public. When you get home..... initially, you'll be exhausted, but it will become easier and easier----to the point that it won't be such a laborious task.

I don't know what to tell you for the posture thing cuz I never had that problem cuz my mother made me walk-around the house with a book on my head when I was a kid, specifically, so I wouldn't have bad posture.

skibum: you remind me of the quote: "We teach what we most need to learn"----and I think you're doing GREAT----I'm a FAN!! !

Campin Cat, Thank you. You are so sweet and encouraging. Thank you so much. It's great to be in a community where we can learn so much from each other. I learn from all of you here every time I sign on.

Hi there, Warrior88,

I've found Kathleen Porter's book, "Natural Posture for Pain-Free Living" to be incredibly helpful for learning better posture and balance. It is available on Amazon.

I also use her posture aid for sitting called "The Wedge" - Just google "The Wedge by Natural Posture Solutions" and you should be able to find it.

Both have been tremendously valuable to me in learning better posture and balance as well as eliminating back pain.

Best wishes!

You're quite welcome!! !

Thank you everyone for your suggestions