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Exercises To Improve Posture For Seniors And The Elderly

Some exercises to improve posture for seniors and the elderly emphasize spinal extension like the video below.

This is a great posture exercise because extending the back will correct poor sitting and standing posture.

When we are not aware of our posture the shoulders will move forward, our back will slouch, our chin comes forward.

Simply sitting up tall will help position our spine better, will move our head back, and bring our shoulders back.

Spinal extension can be done sitting or standing.

I like to do this exercise sitting down because there is more control of our spine and better feedback from the chair as to how we are positioned.

It is easier also to relax after straightening up.

Think about keeping your pelvis in neutral alignment, lift the chest and ribs, and bring the shoulders back as you breathe in. Give it a try!

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Spinal Extension

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Purpose of this exercise

• Helps correct faulty posture by bringing the spine into neutral, shoulders and chin back.
• Assists in the flexibility of the chest, improving respiration and lung functioning.

How to do it

Step 1

• Sit in a chair with arms at sides or on lap.
• Maintain a relaxed spine.

Step 2 

• Inhale as you slowly sit up as tall as possible.
• Then exhale slowly as you relax the back and chest.
• Repeat 10 times.

Breathing

• Inhale during the sitting tall movement phase.
• Exhale during the relaxing movement phase.

Tips

• This exercise can also be performed standing.
• Concentrate on abdominal breathing, bring the air all the way down to your belly button.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed as you inhale and sit tall.

Take it up a notch

• Exaggerate the movement by starting from a slumped position with shoulders forward, chin out and back rounded. Then inhale and sit tall, bring shoulders back, chin in and straighten the spine.

Try these other posture exercises

Watch These Exercise Videos

1. Arm Ups

• Improve the flexibility of your ribs to assist in breathing.
• Increase your ability to lift the ribs and bring the shoulders back into proper position.

2. Spine Extensions

• Helps correct faulty posture by bringing the spine into neutral, shoulders and chin back.
• Assists in the flexibility of the chest, improving respiration and lung functioning.

3. Chin Tuck And Jut

• Provides good feedback on correcting faulty posture habits.
• Strengthens the cervical retracting muscles for better support of good posture.

4.Shoulder Circles

• Improve the flexibility of your shoulders and rib cage.
• Helps bring your spine into a better erect posture.
• This is a great exercise to do to "set" your spine and shoulders during the day.

5. Shoulder Blade Squeeze

• Helps position your spine in a comfortable neutral position.
• Corrects faulty posture by positioning your shoulders below your ears.

6. Wall Tilts

• Helps bring your lower back into correct posture.
• Strengthens your pelvis and buttock muscles.

Do you like these exercises? Did you know you can download the exercises along with a 4 week exercise program?.