Practice Bragg Posture Exercises Every Day
Correct posture allows the chest to expand so that the lungs can be filled with air. The lungs inflate with air like millions of tiny balloons. Suction is created below by the action of the diaphragm and above by the auxiliary muscles of the chest and abdomen. This suction fills your lungs with air. The lungs themselves are passive and cannot breathe independently. The lungs wait patiently to be refilled with air. So now make it a habit to breathe deeply to help keep your lungs and body healthy.
Remember, the lungs are attached to the rib cage walls by pleural membranes. If the sternum, or breastbone, is carried high and the bony rib cage expanded, the lungs are held up in position so they can be filled with air. The uplifted diaphragm, in turn, tends to draw into position the sagging or prolapsed organs of the abdomen.
As with deep breathing, most young children exhibit good posture naturally, only to lose both as they mature. To make matters worse, most occupations today (from assembly line to desk jobs) have a tendency to pull us down from an erect, good posture position. The result is that many people carry themselves like a collapsed accordion, shoulders sagging, chest deflated, which puts their heart, organs and breathing apparatus in a tight viselike grip.
1 A special exercise is needed to counteract this unhealthy and energy-sapping poor posture. Stand with your feet 10 inches apart. Now stretch your hands high overhead, at the same time rising high on your toes. See how high you can lift up your chest while drawing in the abdominal muscles. Stretch up and up, as if trying to touch the ceiling. Repeat this posture exercise 10 times. Do not try to do any special breathing. Just breathe naturally, or what is natural for you at the time.
This exercise is designed to strengthen the muscles which control the erect posture of the body. Stretching is one of the greatest tools for building health. It is the universal exercise of the animal kingdom. Wild animals are beautiful examples of instinctual natural living. Also, house pets (cats, dogs, birds, etc.) all stretch daily. Whenever you’ve been sitting for a while, do this stretching exercise.
Stomach Muscles Need These Exercises
Most people allow their stomach muscles to be lazy, flabby and unhealthy. A good time to strengthen, tone and control these muscles (your natural girdle of muscles) is to practice this every morning before you get out of bed. Remember your waistline is your lifeline.
2 Lying on your back – fix your eyes and attention on your stomach. Now start moving your stomach muscles upwards, then force them downwards. Wiggle your insides, in one direction, then another, then from side to side, letting your hands help at first. When you discover you can control your muscles in one movement, then practice the other movements.
Thinking about and using these stomach muscles is just the beginning. The goal of these exercises is the ability to control the abdominal muscles in the same way you do those of the legs and arms. Your stomach muscles must do your bidding if you want to develop a useful diaphragm. After you have obtained some control over your stomach muscles while lying on your back in bed, begin doing the same movements while standing upright. You can accomplish much more in this upright position.
3 Standing upright, with hands hanging relaxed at sides, draw in and up the stomach muscles until it looks like a deep valley, as though everything inside was moving up in the chest cavity. Then push your muscles out until you are surprised of your protruding belly. Now suck the muscles in, then push out. Now wiggle them up and down, and last pull in, tighten, firm and stretch up your midsection and spine. Repeat several times.
When you acquire this control over the abdomen and surrounding muscles, you will discover many benefits. A huge reward is you will also establish a more normal bowel rhythm. Usually upon arising and within an hour after each meal, there should be a bowel movement.
Your waistline is your healthline, dateline, youthline and lifeline! – Patricia Bragg
He who can’t find time for exercise will have time for illness. – Lord Derby
