When beginning your journey to proper posture, you’ll want to solve any alignment issues first. This includes posture you use while sitting, standing or walking. When standing, you’re going to want to try to find your “center” or position of balance and alignment. There is a little method that you can try to help you find this.

• First, stand with your feet shoulder length apart.
• While standing as straight as possible, keep your weight on the balls of your feet. This part is important because, when we place our weight on our heels, we tend to slouch.
• Keep the shoulders squared and try pulling your head back and up towards the ceiling. While performing this exercise, you will actually start to feel taller and thinner. You're giving your body a chance to stretch all of the muscles that relieve the pressure on your spine.
• As you move your head back down, focus on your balance and make sure that your shoulders are even.

*Modification Tip: While in this position, you can even try stretching your back slightly forward or backward, but make sure to return to the original position, which is your center.

This exercise will engage and awaken the muscles that you need to use in order to maintain correct posture while walking and sitting. Try practicing this motion right before you go out for a walk, or before you sit for an extended period of time. The more you do it, the stronger your body will become, and you will naturally use the correct posture when standing, walking, or sitting.