Posture Alignment

by Paul D'Arezzo, Nathanael Letteer (Illustrator)

A clear, easy-to-read book on the importance of posture or body alignment in maintaining appearance, physical function, and preventing muscle and joint pain and disability particularly as we grow older. Book includes postural self-assessment and over one hundred exercises in various short menus to correct and maintain proper body alignment.

Genres: Health

216 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author provides a compelling argument for posture as an essential element of physical wellbeing, and provides short routines (of exercises and stretches) that are targeted to address specific postural imbalances.

At times, I felt the author belabored the point a bit, and that the book could have been edited for brevity, but perhaps, as a Pilates instructor who is already convinced of the importance of posture, I didn't need as lengthy of an argument as other readers might. ;P

The explanation of the exercises is simplistic, but (I thought) in a good way. If too many specifics were included, the exercises might seem too intimidating or overwhelming. I would have recommended a couple extra drawings on certain exercises, to ensure the full type/range of motion was crystal clear; however, in general they were easy to understand.

My favorite element of this book is the exercise "menus". While the exercises are described in detail elsewhere in the book, the menus lay out a short series of exercises for each type of postural imbalance, including:

* The name of each exercise
* How many repetitions / how long to hold it
* The page number on which the detailed description can be found
* A drawing of the exercise, to quickly jog your memory

Once you became familiar with the exercises, it would be very easy to use the menus to flow through each short routine.

I came away feeling I could easily complete and greatly benefit from the routines that were laid out in the book, and I will definitely be trying out some of what I learned.

I also I think this book could be very helpful to those who are struggling with postural issues, muscle tension, or pain, who do not have experience with postural alignment, Pilates, or yoga.

[Ethan Petuchowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much depth but makes a convincing overview of where body aches and pains come from and offers a theory of how to fix it with actual exercise and workout plans. Easy to read and makes the case very coherently.

[Kevin Keast · Rating 3 out of 5]

The explanation of the exercises is not the greatest. It would be nice to have a CD-ROM accompanying.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good manual on exercises that improves one's posture. I personally do them whenever I sense there is something wrong with my posture.