The Posture of Obesity

I am pleased to hear that Michelle Obama is taking on childhood obesity as an initiative. I was a heavy kid. As an adult, this is an ongoing challenge.

Recently, I learned (in my dance class) that carrying weight alters body posture in a way that shuts down my desire to be active. It also de-shapes the hip and backside area – an effect I do not need. The extra weight, especially in my belly, has me leaning forward.

Ideal alignment is about balancing through the bones. In a well-aligned body, weight is transferred from top to bottom through the center of the joints. (It’s a gravity thing.) This engages posture muscles such as the hamstrings (back of leg). I feel ready for action, and movement is delicious.

But by leaning forward, I am no longer balancing my weight through the bones. Instead I arch my back (which tightens the muscles) and my hips tighten up. I get stuck at the pelvis, but its not fun. No, this is movement stoppage! Sadly, I lose track of the feeling of my body, and I begin to identify with being overweight.

I found that key is to gently lean back. At first it feels weird because habit has me used to the forward position. But the idea is to get to a place where the pelvis drops down easily, releasing unnecessary muscle tension as it does. I practice this every day now, and it’s freeing.