What I found is that MOST people move at the pelvis and hip during yoga and think they are one in the same. However, they are not, one is a fixed structure and the other is mobile.

So, how do you find your optimal posture? The key is the “triple S” prescription. Triple S = Skull, Shoulder blades, Sacrum

First identify those three spots. Your skull the rounded curve on the back of your head. Your shoulder blades on your upper back. Your sacrum is the only one that you may not have heard of, it is the fused part of your low spine, right above the tailbone.

Most of us are walking around with postural imbalances and the idea is to correct those imbalances/habits through movement, body awareness, and activation. This is the #1 key to getting better posture and energy exchange throughout the body. (I know energy exchange sounds like a made up thing- it is NOT, google ground force reaction. It is in fact a real scientific measurable thing!)

I spent years doing various styles of yoga, bikram, ashtanga based vinyasa, restorative, you name it. Although I could do all the “pretty” poses and sweat my way through any 65-90 minute class. I would leave feeling depleted and with persistent low back pain and/or shoulder pain.

Friends often tell me they want to do yoga, but think they are not flexible enough or will not be good at it. First off, every single one of us had a first time at everything. You just need a willingness to step past your ego and fear that you might not (probably will not) be the best right off the bat. Like everything worthwhile, it takes time and practice to get better. So, once you can put those things aside, just show up! Getting on your mat whether virtually or in person is the first step.