On Posture

Esther Gokhale is a posture expert who works from an anthropological perspective. Her research of the carriage and movement of indigenous and ancient peoples is enlightening. I have posted a clip from a talk she gave to Google. It is well worth the near hour long run time, even if you must watch it in chunks.

While I don't completely understand it, the apparent correlation between optimal posture and optimal health is intriguing. I feel it goes beyond maintaining back health (although this is certainly important). There seems to be a connection with how we feel (mentally, emotionally and physically), how others perceive us and our postures. Gokhale alludes to this in her talk.

Also, the picture perfect stiff legged deadlift posture employed by the native women on one of her slides is fascinating. These ladies gather water chestnuts for seven to nine hours a day! No back pain. No arthritis. Just tired at the end of the day.

I would be too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yYJ4hEYudE