2008 Photos

Since I talk about a straight spine being important for strength (and advise not sitting like a banana), I like to use this example of removing a splinter from the bottom of your foot to demonstrate the beauty of maintaining a flexible spine throughout life.
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"Working smarter, not harder" by balancing the weight of the water bottle over the skeleton where the force goes through the strong bones of the skeleton as opposed to being absorded by the soft tissue of the body (muscles, ligaments, discs).
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Rock climbing with straight spine and hip hinging.
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Good sports photo showing spinal alignment with hip hinging.
Photo by karenskandids@msn.com

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2007 Photos

October 2006 - "Zeo and Friend" (above)
Carol's Comment:
If you have read my book Living Posture or have been to my PowerPoint presentations, you know how
I often compare two sitting positions. The little boy on the left has better posture than the girl on the right in this picture, but if you watch this girl on a regular basis, she usually demonstrates good posture. Therefore, there is no problem here.
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November 2006 - "FedEx"(above)
Can you find the arrow in this picture? This was presented on 60 Minutes as an example of observation skills. Once you see it, it's easy; once you learn to observe the human body for good posture, it is also easy. Answer below:

Ans: There is a large arrow between the letters E and x. Did you find it?

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December 2006 - "Jacob" (above)
This is a good example of active sitting, as opposed to passive sitting where you rest against the back of a chair (or stroller in this case). Jacob has choosen to sit errect which engages core muscles. You will notice people naturally come forward on a seat, often when working, playing or being creative. Other examples of active sitting include sitting on a ball, riding a horse, sitting on bleachers, a picnic bench, or in a canoe; all of these examples engage the core muscles of the trunk.

A recent news headline stated: Leaning backward might be the best stance for your back. The article was based on research presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago, and stated "Forget all that nagging about sitting up straight". This is misleading.

A straight back when sitting is healthy, but this doesn't have to mean vertically straight. The main point is that a slouched position (or sitting like a banana), is unhealthy for your back. The more you can actively sit, the stronger you will be. Passive sitting has its place (when resting), but it does not help develope your core. To be continued.....

January 2007 - "Card Game" (above)

The man and the young boys are examples of active sitting. Typically a person playing cards doesn't lean against the back of the chair, but comes forward. You will often see this with people working at a desk or computer. This is a great, natural way to sit, and allows for healthly movement (eg. "hinging at the hips" while reaching for cards. ___________________________________________________________________________________

Febuary 2007 - Picnic (above)

In this picture, you will see that both people are leaning forward from the back of the chair, but the man is hunched over his food (his back is shaped like a banana). Some people get in the habit of eating like this. It is healthier to hinge from the hips while keeping the back straight (like the lady in the backround). The back does not need to be verically straight. See figure 2.24, page 28, in my book LIVING POSTURE.
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March 2007 - "Relaxed" Sitting (above)

This is an example of "sitting like a banana" (teenager in foreground); it can cause low back pain, and weakness of the core muscles. If you sit like this often when you are young, it can be hard to change the habit as you get older. (The teenager in the background is sitting in better posture.)
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April 2007 - Ari Kissing Chelsea (above)
Ari was about 2 yr. old in this picture. She is squatting in a good, healthy manner. Some people question whether girls squat differently than boys. My answer is that when young, both boys and girls squat the same. As they get older, girls change their squatting by keeping their legs together because they are told to and/or their clothing does not allow for good body mechanics. The good news is girls and women can relearn how to squat naturally again (assuming there is no restriction of clothing).
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May 2007 - Mexican Girls with Buckets (above)
Some cultures carry items placed on their heads. This allows for good alignment of the bones. It can be a wise choice, as long as the load is not too heavy. It is sometimes recommended that you practice good standing and walking posture by placing a book on your head....a good idea! (Photo from physical therapist Jill Black.)
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June 2007 - Haley in gymnastics (above)
Picture on the left shows Haley in a slumped ("banana") posture, while picture on the right shows beautiful alignment when Haley did a hand stand. Photos summited by Erin (Haley's mom).
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July 2007 - Hannah and Tre picking corn (above)
Hannah (photo on left) shows natural squatting often seen in young children.
Tre (photo on right) shows a more mature variation of squatting not seen in very young children.
Both are examples of good body alignment, and represent balanced posture with straight spines
and hip hinging. Also notice that Hannah is standing in good alignment.
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August 2007 - Hannah playing piano (above)
Hannah shows good spinal alignment in both photos. Note her straight back and hip hinging.
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September 2007 - Girl and Cat (above)
Another beautifully balanced squat. Photo summitted by Billiejean (mom).
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October 2007 - Chonic Ankle Sprains (above)
It is no wonder this teenage girl had a history of multiple ankle sprains; this is how she frequently stood. Photo submitted by her physical therapist.
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November 2007 - Working smarter, not harder (above)
Larry and Julius are doing their job delivering a washing machine. They made it look so easy by using good body mechanics and good posture. The strap crosses at the back (see below). Photos submitted by
Karen's Kandids (302) 270-8382.

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December 2007 - Carrying Christmas Tree - note straight back for total body strength

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