The physics of flesh and bone: optimize your relationship to gravity

From studying the movement/postural patterns of populations of people who stay straight and carry heavy loads into their old age we learn there is an alignment that optimizes health and strength. Given the materials of your body, flesh and bone, and the constant pull of gravity you are always either in an optimal position, where gravity holds you together or in a detrimental position, where gravity pulls you apart. Contrary to conventional directions for “good posture” which require muscular tension (tightness) there is a balanced posture that holds you effortlessly. This is the posture of our ancestors, children under the age of three, great athletes, and millions of people around the world who live on the axis.

The only way to get a feel for this information is to experience it. To that end, you will be guided to a sitting position that reduces stress and strain now and makes you straighter as you age.

Presenter(s)

Jean Couch is the author of The Runner's Yoga Book, which has sold over 200,000 copies. She co-hosted "Yoga for today" on KQED TV in the San Francisco Bay Area and has appeared on View from the Bay, ABC7 News. Jean has presented workshops and lectures throughout the U.S. and internationally on yoga, movement, stretching for runners, and Balance. Since 1988 she has been involved in empirical research studying populations of people who have minimal or no back or joint pain. She is the Founder and Director of the Balance Center, where she has developed methods for teaching concrete guidelines for pain free posture. She teaches Balance, yoga, and the Balance Teacher Certification Course. Jean has a B.A. from the University of Iowa and a Master's Degree from Stanford University in Education. Sources such as The Yoga Journal have called her "a remarkable teacher." She is an inspirational speaker, and has dedicated her life to teaching individuals what to do when something hurts.