Stretching: Better Posture

Nothing says confidence like good posture and a body that moves well. Try these potent moves to stay mobile and pain free.

You already know that a great way to counteract sitting is to get some rotation into your middle and upper back. Stretching is good, but it's more effective when you also add slow and repeated movements. This way, your muscles actually learn to work in this range of motion.

1. Turn around in your chair and place your hands on the backrest, either at or slightly below shoulder level.

2. Keeping your right arm still, slowly begin to straighten your left arm, using it to push your upper body into a gentle twist to the left. Sit tall and allow your head to rotate naturally in line with your spine.

3. Only twist as far as you can comfortably go, hold for a second, and then slowly return to the start.

4. Stick with this side for 5-8 reps, and inhale as you twist back, exhale as you return.

5. Repeat on the other side.