Did you know that you can improve your posture with a yoga strap?
Slumping for long periods of time is not good for us and it tends to happen (more often than not) when we are stationary (i.e. sitting down at a desk).
According to a recent survey over 50% of us are moving less and sitting more since the start of 2020. This has lead to a sharp rise in aches and pains caused by poor postural habits.
Often we don’t even realise our slumping tendencies until we are a nose away from the desk. By then, we are already feeling the effects of it. Tiredness, stiffness, pain or tension in the lower back, neck and shoulders are all common symptoms.
Sound familiar?
Here is where the humble yoga strap can help. I am going to share with you an easy way of utilising the strap to help you stay aware of your posture whilst you are sedentary. Not only will it help you sit better, but it can retrain your chest and shoulder muscles so that you sit with better alignment. It is very easy to set up too once you have done it a couple of times.
You will need a long belt/yoga strap.
No strap? No problem. Simply grab two ties and knot them together (or find a really long belt or scarf).
Here is how you set it up:
Step One
- The first step of improving your posture with a yoga strap is to take your yoga strap and wrap it around the base of the shoulder blades. Make sure that the yoga strap fabric lies flat (there are no kinks). Pull the remaining length of the strap evenly in front of you making sure that the strap doesn’t slip down.
Step Two
- Now take the two ends and flip them over the front of your shoulders so that they hang freely down your back.
Step Three
- Grab the straps with your hands at the back and cross them over one another. You will have created an X-shape on your back. Pull the ends back to the front. Gently pull each strap end down and away from each other. This is the action that will improve your posture using the yoga strap. You should feel your arm bones being pulled gently back and down, your chest space opening and the mid-back relaxing downwards. You can stay here for an active version of the stretch or try 4.
Step Four
- Bring the excess length back around to the front where you can buckle it at your breastbone (or under your pecs). Tighten until it feels comfortable and open. Make sure you don’t tighten it so much to create discomfort! Now you can forget about it as you do your work and it will quietly sit in the background helping you keep your shoulders a little happier.
Closing thoughts
If you are interested in finding out more about how posture is really important for your health and wellbeing catch up on my earlier blog post here
Prefer watching a video? Here is a quick tutorial video on using a yoga strap to improve posture below:
I hope you are going to try using this magic yoga strap hack to improve your posture.
If you are interested in learning more why not join me for my up and coming workshop on November 6th: Dump The Slump where we will spend an afternoon geeking out on posture. You can sign up here.
Get an early bird discount if you sign up by 25th October
