Stretches to Help with Posture

Exercises that Helps With Posture

Today, a majority of us spend a few hours daily on our cellphones, tablets, laptops, computer and other technology. Unfortunately, a commonality when we are using technology is that we are often looking downwards at a screen. This can have a big impact on our posture. Whether you naturally slouch or you notice it has become a bad habit over time, we would like to go through some exercises that can help you with your posture. 

1. The Childs Pose 

This resting pose stretches and lengthens your spine, glutes, and hamstrings. The child’s pose helps to release tension in your lower back and neck.

To do this:

1. Sit on your shinbones with your knees together, your big toes touching, and your heels splayed out to the side.
2. Fold forward at your hips and walk your hands out in front of you.
3. Sink your hips back down toward your feet. If your thighs won’t go all the way down, place a pillow or folded blanket under them for support.
4. Gently place your forehead on the floor or turn your head to one side.
5. Keep your arms extended or rest them along your body.
6. Breathe deeply into the back of your rib cage and waist.
7. Relax in this pose for up to 5 minutes while breathing deeply. (Healthline, 2022)

2. The Forward Fold

This standing stretch releases tension in your spine, hamstrings, and glutes. It also stretches your hips and legs. While doing this stretch, you should feel the entire back side of your body opening up and lengthen.

To do this:

1. Stand with your big toes touching and your heels slightly apart.
2. Bring your hands to your hips and fold forward at your hips.
3. Release your hands toward the floor or place them on a block. Don’t worry if your hands don’t touch the ground — just go as far as you can.
4. Bend your knees slightly, soften your hips joints, and allow your spine to lengthen.
5. Tuck your chin into your chest and allow your head to fall heavily to the floor.
6. Remain in this pose for up to 1 minute. (Healthline, 2022)

3. Cat Cow

Doing the cat-cow stretch while standing helps to loosen up the tightness in your back, hips, and glutes.

To do this:

1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart with a slight bend in your knees.
2. Extend your hands in front of you or place them on your thighs.
3. Lengthen your neck, bring your chin toward your chest, and round your spine.
4. Then look up, lift your chest, and move your spine in the opposite direction.
5. Hold each position for 5 breaths at a time.
6. Continue this movement for a few minutes. (Healthline, 2022).

4. Chest Opener 

This exercise allows you to open and stretch your chest. This is especially useful if you spend most of your day sitting, making your chest move inward. Strengthening your chest also helps you stand up straighter.

To do this:

1. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart.
2. Bring your arms behind you and interlace your fingers with your palms pressing together. Grasp a towel if your hands don’t reach each other.
3. Keep your head, neck, and spine in one line as you gaze straight ahead.
4. Inhale as you lift your chest toward the ceiling and bring your hands toward the floor.
5. Breathe deeply as you hold this pose for 5 breaths.
6. Release and relax for a few breaths.
7. Repeat at least 10 times. (Heathline, 2022)

5. High Plank Stretch

The high plank pose helps to relieve pain and stiffness throughout your body while strengthening your shoulders, glutes, and hamstrings. It also helps you develop balance and strength in your core and back, both important for good posture.

To do this:

1. Come onto all fours and straighten your legs, lift your heels, and raise your hips.
2. Straighten your back and engage your abdominal, arm, and leg muscles.
3. Lengthen the back of your neck, soften your throat, and look down at the floor.
4. Make sure to keep your chest open and your shoulders back.
5. Hold this position for up to 1 minute at a time. (Healthline, 2022)

6. Side Plank

You can use a side plank to maintain the neutral alignment of your spine and legs. This energizing pose works the muscles in your sides and glutes. Strengthening and aligning these muscles helps to support your back and improve posture.

To do this:

1. From a high plank position, bring your left hand slightly into center.
2. Shift your weight onto your left hand, stack your ankles, and lift your hips.
3. Place your right hand on your hip or extend it up toward the ceiling.
4. You can drop your left knee down to the floor for extra support.
5. Engage your abdominals, side body, and glutes as you maintain this pose.
6. Align your body straight from the crown of your head to your heels.
7. Look straight ahead of you or up toward your hand.
8. Hold this pose for up to 30 seconds.
9. Repeat on the opposite side. (Healthline, 2022).

7. The Downward Dog

8. The Pigeon Pose

This is a hip opener that also loosens up your spine, hamstrings, and glutes. The pigeon pose can also help to stretch your sciatic nerve and quadriceps. Opening and stretching these places in your body makes it easier to correct imbalances in your posture.

To do this:

1. Come down on all fours with your knees below your hips and your hands a little bit in front of your shoulders.
2. Bend your right knee and place it behind your right wrist with your right foot angled out to the left.
3. Rest the outside of your right shin on the floor.
4. Slide your left leg back, straighten your knee, and rest your thigh on the floor.
5. Make sure your left leg extends straight back (and not to the side).
6. Slowly lower your torso down to rest on your inner right thigh with your arms extended in front of you.
7. Hold this position for up to 1 minute.
8. Slowly release the position by walking your hands back toward your hips and lifting your torso.
9. Repeat on the left side. (Healthline, 2022)

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