For the Virtue of Vertical Postures

Let us take a moment to think about our body structure in the sitting position. We have small and curved bones called ischia which are placed at the base of the buttocks touching the seat. On top of this we have the flared pelvis which is jutting outward at an angle. We then have five lumbar bones stacking on the sacrum which is placed in the centre of the pelvis. Above these, we have thoracic bones to which long rib bones are connecting and maintaining each unique angle to them. Finally, we have the skull, the heaviest bone you have which is supported by the thinner cervical bones. In order to keep the balance of this very complicated skeletal structure, we have the S-shaped spinal curve that is formed by the inward curvature of the lumber vertebrae, the outward curvature of the thoracic vertebrae, and the inward curvature of the cervical vertebrae. In order to make a balance against leaning backward, we place the head forward and hunch the back, which results in the stooping posture. There are plenty of other reasons why our posture is balanced. Our head and ribcage hang over the body, craning our head and shoulders forward. Not only are our head and rib bones jutting out forward but we also are performing most of our daily activities in front of ourselves. This leads to the body leaning forward. In order to pull back the body leaning forward from behind, the dorsal muscles need to be tense all the time, which can cause stiffness and pains in our back and neck. Furthermore, we move asymmetrically by using each hand, which always have different roles to play. The organs too are asymmetrically placed in our body, and are constantly in motion. So, it is very difficult to keep our body symmetrical. When our body tries to support itself with only muscles, pains and exhaustion occurs, because of the strains on our body. This is why we need to learn how to keep good postures and movements, without relying only on muscle support, and straining the bones and joints.