Part One Chapter 6 (Page 26)

Healthy Habits

1 – Correct Posture

How would you like to appear to lose 10 – 15 pounds instantly?  Try this in front of a mirror:  Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your stomach pulled in.  Your head held straight and upright as if held by an imaginary string.  Your chin should be pulled in slightly, Get the picture?  Nothing will help your appearance more quickly than the correct posture.  Proper posture while standing, walking and sitting must be developed as a habit. 

If you have developed the habit of a poor posture, holding a correct posture will be uncomfortable at first, but sick with it, it won’t take too long before it feels natural, and the benefits will be a body that is more toned and healthier.  Not only will your appearance be improved but you will feel better.  Standing tall will help you to feel more powerful, confident, and assertive. One cannot feel as powerful and confident with a poor, weak, slumped posture as when one is standing tall.  

The Yogis believe that the evolutionary energy called kundalini cannot flow through the spine unless the spine is straight.  Many of the asanas (yoga postures) have the purpose of creating a flexible and spine that can be held straight for long periods of meditation.  (Add pictures of incorrect and proper posture here for standing and sitting)