Skip to main content

More posture stuff - this time from Jean Couch

In my last post about posture I mentioned Jean Couch. She runs the Balance Centre and the principles that she teaches are similar to those of Porter and Gokhale who I have also mentioned previously. There are subtle differences between their approaches - and I think Gokhale has developed things to the greatest detail - but their basic premises are the same.



(by the way I wonder if I should give a prize to anyone that manages to count the number of times she says "instantly" in that video!)

As I said before I think posture should be part of our primal blueprint approach to fitness.

Comments

Anonymous said…
The model in the video still has a very curved spine (instantly!), not at all straightened like what Esther Gokhale is after.
Chris said…
I noticed that.

As i said I think Esther has taken this stuff the furthest, but it probably all starts with the pelvis and hips which is where Couch starts. For me it is the cue I've been using in my standing. Also not to lift the chest up.
Chris said…
Actually, looking at it again I don't think she is too bad. The upper back is not that curved. The lumbar is but it is more of a hinge at the hips than the spine
Chris said…
Actually, looking at it again I don't think she is too bad. The upper back is not that curved. The lumbar is but it is more of a hinge at the hips than the spine
Anonymous said…
She said 'instantly' 15 times. Do I get a prize?

Oh. OK.

I have bought the Gokhale book after you featured her on your blog recently. I agree with you that her approach is more detailed, but the Couch approach seems like a good start - based on one 5-minute video clip.
I'll let you know how I get on applying the Gokhale method.

Andy
Chris said…
Cheers Andy. Sorry no prize....

I agree that the Couch stuff is a good simple starting point(with good butt section!). Esthers' youtube video I posted has some good things in it too.

Hope you enjoy Esther's book.
I think these videos provide a good guide to quickly improve static posture. But, what about dynamic posture? The spinal alignment and stability needs to be reinforced with strength training. Learning a proper deadlift (which most people don't know how to perform) will help maintain proper dynamic postural alignment.

Also, from my experience, there appears to be a relationship between glute activation/strength/development and static and dynamic posture.
Neck Exercises said…
Interesting video, but I want to see how this person walks with all these instantly corrections.You also don't want to lock your knees.

Popular posts from this blog

Dry January

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was taking part in "Dry January".  I didn't make a big song and dance about it, but I decided to go for a calendar month or so with no alcohol.  A few people have asked me about my experience, so here are a few points. Why take a break from drinking? Alcohol is an interesting topic.  As a drug it is widely accepted in society, central to so much of our socialising and leisure.  There seem to be lots of health benefits - so we are told - yet there are also a lot of problems in terms of health, relationships and lifestyle that come from drinking. Over a few years I'd begun to become aware and then concerned that I was drinking too much and too regularly.  I am in a busy and stressful job and sometimes a glass of wine after work to relax is really helpful.  But over time, one glass became two.  Two glasses became ....I might as well finish the bottle.  A habit got established....and was starting to get too e...

So where have I been?

You will have noticed that this blog has been quiet for a while....  There are a few reasons for that, reasons that I thought I'd list here: WORK -  my day job has been incredibly busy and stressful this year. Working 10-14 hour days the last thing on my mind when I got home was putting something on here.  FACEBOOK/TWITTER - I suppose I've been using other channels to do some of what I used to do here. Quick fire posts pointing to interesting studies or news etc tend to get posted to Twitter (@chrishighcock) or to the Facebook Hillfit group http://www.facebook.com/groups/263083947097000/  REASSESSMENT - I've found myself less comfortable with some of the positions I've taken in the past. Sometimes I'm embarrassed by some of the things I've promoted. I'm not Paleo or low carb. I think Tabata and intervals are misunderstood and misapplied. I cannot really claim to be HIT.   I find myselfunable  honestly to post things on here and pretend that I am some sort o...

Taking up space for a brief update

I've a couple of posts in draft that I will get up soon -  an update / reflection on Dry January and some thoughts on the scheduling benefits of short workouts if your life is busy.  Before that though, I am pointing to something else. However, I wanted to highlight something that is coming this weekend that I've been involved in.   Amber Rogers (Gokaleo and author of Taking Up Space ) has been pulling together a bundle of books from various authors with a common theme, one that I've been pushing here recently.   Keep it simple, avoid the hype, be patient, be consistent and flee the gurus.   I've talked before about how we get obsessed with pushing for more and more, when enough is OK.  I've given my view that so much of the health and fitness internet world is more like a gnostic religion than something that will benefit your life. There are other voices out there saying similar things and I'll be pointing to a bundle of books later this week ...