'Back straight’ ‘Don’t slouch’ .. I am sure we have all heard those words more than once from our elders when we were growing up. And most of us would not pay attention and slump back into a slouch. One doesn’t realise the consequences of a poor posture and how it can lead to serious risk factors. Yoga, beyond its well-known benefits for flexibility and stress-relief, plays a crucial role in improving posture. 


In our fast paced lives we often find ourselves hunched over screens and seated for long hours at desks, these habits can lead to poor posture, which not only affects our appearance but can also result in discomfort and health issues over time.



In this regard, Manju Patel who is a Certified Yoga Expert / Fitness Influencer and Owner of Yoga kriya kutir Sanpada Navi Mumbai said, "The concept of Yoga is union of one's Atma with the Supreme through Samadhi, adopting the eight fold path I.e. Ashtanga Yoga of Maharshi Patanjali. Practising yoga means to imbibe and be in the yogic state in a continuous way, whereby practices require to maintain a steady and pleasurable posture 'Sthira sukham asanam'."


 

"Asana and Pranayama practices are undertaken for various parts of body to improve their  functioning and improved mind body coordination. All yogic practices namely sitting, standing, prone, supine position and inverted poses strengthens the spine and musculo skeletal system  improving flexibility and toning up of muscles with improved blood circulation of each and every part. There is an uplift in body framework (anti gravity) exuding positivity and transforms  the personality ushering in self confidence thereby increasing body immunity and posture," she further added.

How Yoga Helps To Attain A Better Posture:


Good posture is not only healthy physically but also helps you make a great first impression. Exuding both competence and confidence, by standing tall, you can make a powerful statement without saying a word. In thsi regard, Nisha Dhawan who is the Head coach Yoga at MultiFit shared how yoga steps in as a natural remedy.



  • Awareness of Body alignment 


Yoga postures teach us to pay attention to our bodies as it helps us identify areas of stiffness and helps in releasing tension from the body. Over time, this awareness becomes second nature, leading to improved posture as we consciously make adjustments throughout the day. 



  • Lengthening the Spine


I’m order to avoid spinal compression many of the yoga poses involve stretches that lengthen the spine and release tension in the back, neck and shoulders. These stretches counteract the compression caused by slouching and gradually restore a more upright posture. 



  • Improves breathing


To work effectively, the lungs need room to expand in the chest. When one is slouching, the rib cage collapses a bit, leaving less room for the lungs to open causing inefficient breathing. 



  • Core strength 


A strong core is essential for maintaining a good posture. Yoga postures that help in abdominal strengthening target the muscles that support your spine and as these muscles grow stronger, they naturally contribute to a more upright posture.



  • Union of the Mind and Body


Yoga emphasizes the mind-body connection and encourages us to be in the present moment. As we practice Yoga, we become more mindful of how we sit, stand, and move allowing us to make positive changes in our posture effortlessly.


How Meditation Can Help Cure Chronic Back Pain:


Anyone can live a disease-free life by including mindful practices in their lifestyle. People need to be conscious about the things happening in the present moment and this practice is known as mindfulness.


In this regard, Ankita Mahajan (Naturopath and Founder of Yogymummy) said, "Meditation and yoga are some of the same practices that can help people build healthier habits, which eventually take them towards healthy living. Patients suffering from diabetes, hypertension, hormonal imbalance, metabolic issues, depression, and stress disorder can get most of the benefits if they start practicing meditation and yoga."


"Chronic back pain can be fixed with proper posture exercises and mindful practices. The higher the inflammation in the body you have, the more painful it will become. Having medicines for such inflammation is never a good idea because it will give you temporary relief. For treatment, you need to look at the root cause of the issue and get it treated with a correct set of exercises and diet," she further added.