Many clients and potential clients come to me with a worried look in their eye asking me to show them how to straighten their posture or spine.

One school of thought, which comes from Somatics, says that people generally take one of two forms in their spine and posture. Either their posture is “green light” or “red light”. Green light is when your posture is over energized and your spine is arched. Red light is when your posture is slumped, even if it’s just a little. In red light, your spine is bent, or flexed.

Somatics people say these basic postures are due to reflexes. Red light posture is a withdrawal reaction to stress and green light is an on alert type reaction.

But I’m not going to get that deep. All I’m trying to point out is that straightening your posture or spine depends on where you’re starting from.

Most of us have a slumped spine wouldn’t you say? Our culture encourages a slumping of the spine every step of the way. From computers, desks, driving, walking and many other activities we are encouraged to look and move forward. Gravity pounds down on us as we go. How often do you walk sideways or backwards or upside down to get somewhere you need to be? If you’re like me, not often.

People with arched spines have tight back muscles. This tension is often what keeps their posture continually arched.

So depending on if your posture is slumped or arched, you may need a massage (mmmmmmmmm) and back muscle stretching, or you may need back strengthening. Everyone can benefit from getting abdominal muscles strong. Well, off to do my ab routine…