Look Slimmer — Correct your Posture!

It’s that time of year when detox, diets and new year resolutions are at the forefront of our minds. But have you ever considered the benefits that correct posture can have on the mind, body, and spirit? We have, and we’ve spoken with Sarah Shell, Professional Dancer & Pilates Instructor, to share her daily exercises on how to create perfect posture that can help us look slimmer. “I believe great posture is a quick way to look taller and slimmer and present ourselves in our most graceful state. I’ve seen folks appear to drop pounds instantly—simply by standing up straight.” When we present with aligned posture we appear taller, our clothes naturally hang better, and we exude confidence without even saying a word. This is because our spine is elongated and held by the muscles that surround it—our core. When space is created around the back and spine, the body can flourish in its most natural state of restoration. As slumping through the body not only creates neck and back pain, but it decreases the flow of oxygen, making us feel weak and lethargic. “I tend to approach aligned posture by how it feels, holding my frame so my body attunes to this state naturally through muscle memory.” We believe it comes down to awareness and practice. Sarah approaches it like this:

• Pull in your stomach
• Tighten your core to support your back
• Squeeze your shoulder blades together
• Open up the collar bones to lengthen the space between them.

When this becomes a daily devotion, you will find you are able to hold your frame longer without strain, hopefully feeling more alive and vibrant as oxygen flows freer throughout your body. We’ve shared Sarah’s daily practice, so you too can hold yourself in your highest light. Each morning: I rise and greet the sun with a series of yoga Sun Salutation sessions to fire up the chest, awaken the core, and find a natural surrender in the shoulder and hamstrings. During the day: I find space to practice these simple poses from wherever I am—the home, or office.

Plank pose for 30-90 seconds, building to 1-3 minutes.

Twisted bicycle crunches for 20 repetitions.

In the early evening: it’s vital to find balance after working abdominal muscles and back extensions, by opening the front of the body with this nightly routine.

Squeezing the shoulder blades together for 1 minute.

Big arm circles for 1 minute.

Spinal twist on each side for 1 minute.

Enjoy creating your own daily practice —and holding yourself in a new light. With love, Sarah xxx Sarah Shell divides her time between Los Angeles and Ojai California. She has had a professional dance career for over 15 years that included world tours, commercials, and television productions. Being a dancer, she has always practiced Pilates to stay strong and in shape. As a certified Pilates instructor since 2009, Sarah has been teaching her own style of Pilates that combines components of dance to develop a long, lean, and toned body. In addition to Miranda Kerr, her client list includes Chelsea Handler, Taylor Swift, and Emma Stone among others. She is committed to helping her clients look and feel their best.

@shell_shape