What's a Neutral Position?

Good posture not only makes you look better, it also helps prevent injury!  Proper alignment – or keeping a “neutral” spine during exercise & throughout your day, places the least amount of stress on muscles and joints.  Use these postural extremes to find your neutral position – You will stand taller, look better & reduce stress on joints & muscles!

• Stand with you feet hips width apart.
• Bend your knees & then straighten them – keeping your knees soft, not locked.
• Tilt your pelvis forward & back, making the lower back very arched and then very flat.  Position your pelvis between the 2 extremes so your tail bone points toward the floor.
• Tighten your abs by contracting the belly button toward the spine without squeezing your gluts.
• Lift shoulders toward ears, then lower them, drawing the shoulder blades down.
• Round upper back, then squeeze shoulder blades together and lift your chest, position shoulder blades between the 2 movements.
• Push chin forward & pull it back until ears are over your shoulders.

You are in a neutral position when ears, shoulders, ribs, hips, knees & ankles line up!

Be Fit! Be Healthy! Be Happy!   ~ Tanya

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