Bad posture

[Machismo111]

I'm sorry this might be somewhat off topic, but I've had bad posture for a long time (Since Im a teenager and all) and by now I slouch constantly. I can stand correctly for a while, but after too long my back starts to ache and it becomes somewhat painful to continue. I'm afraid that when I begin Kendo this will be something I'll have to work on since I observe everyone standing very erect when they fight or practice. I was wondering if anyone might know of a way that I could work on making my posture better aside from just sitting up straight? Are there any sort of exersizes or stretches to help with this?

[Haggis]

I also used to slouch (still do but not nearly as much), I just really kept telling myself to straighten up. I think its better if you concentrate on walking with your back straight, shoulder back and head up and the slouching while sitting will go away.

Although I never had it as bad as back ache as you describe. You might want to look into purchasing an ergonomic or posture correcting chair, that might help you out...

Correct posture is very important, if you slouch or lean forward while in armour and you get hit on the men it will definitely hurt (as I learnt for the first time last night as it was the first time I have worn the men).

[Siglith234]

Also being a teen my self in kendo i find it once your sensei repeats posture to many times it will become nattural in practice but as soon as i leave im slouching again.. After the first few classes you wont notice you are standing up striaght.. Dont worry about it iver heard the word posture to many times in my on going journy

[Fantasia]

I have not yet begun Kendo training, but I"m going out to watch a lesson at a nearby Dojo tomorrow.

However, speaking as a professional musician (singer/teacher) I know a great deal about "posture" and might be able to add some tips.


- "Stand up straight" gives us a bad idea of what good posture really is. This tends to lead to a "military" posture, very rigid. Stick up the you-know-where.
- Studying the Alexander technique teaches us that "good" posture is rather the result of proper ALIGNMENT of several key joints- Ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, and where your spine meets your skull.
- Aligning these properly allows you to hold yourself upright with almost no muscular use, because you are BALANCED.
- This posture allows for greater breath control, more flexibility, more endurance, all because you are using fewer muscles to hold yourself upright, so you can devote them to other things.
- Lastly, don't think about it as a "different" posture. Walk that way ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! Might you get an occasional annoying comment from somebody in High school? Yeah it's possible. But do you really care what somebody who has nothing better to do with their time than criticize the way somebody else stands thinks?

I'm sure these techniques can be applied to any martial art just as readily as they can to musical performance.

[taiwnezboi]

One of the black belts at our dojang once showed me a good way to practice posture.. after getting tired from doing suburi / strikes or whatever you call them.. stand in chudan and pull ur shoulders back as much as you can and arch your back.. stay like that to rest between drills when you're practicing by yourself.. he said that ideally your back should be arched like a baby coming out of his/her mom.. or like a swimmer.. hahahahaha.. sounds ridiculous maybe? but it helped me and people tell me my posture is really straight now =)