The first few weeks of a new program of exercises to improve posture posture can be very frustrating.  We tend to overestimate what we are physically capable of doing.  We expect our bodies to be fixed instantly.

To help us cope with these feelings and get us through our various ruts, we can use virtues developed in the yoga and tai chi systems.  These virtues lead us to reconnect with the realities of our bodies so that we reduce our risk of injury and increase the effectiveness of the exercises.

1. Patience

Starting a new exercise routine can be encouraging because the first gains are always relatively easy.  Your muscles can adapt quickly to changing exercise conditions.  But your gains usually slow down pretty drastically after the first couple of weeks.  Then, you must perform consistent and correct exercises to see further gains.  It might be frustrating, but don’t get discouraged.  Even exercising a few minutes a day can see dramatic gains over weeks and months.

2. Modesty

Our bodies are precious.  Often, we try too hard to push ourselves.  We might stretch too hard, or lift a weight we shouldn’t.  Often, our injuries are not serious.  But sometimes, especially when dealing with the back and tendons, we can do serious damage.  Our spine is so important to our lives.  It is important to protect it and strengthen it.

Also, your tendons and ligaments are also very fragile.  They can only stretch a little bit.  After stretching only 4% of its length, they begin to tear.  So don’t stretch too far.  When your muscles start to twitch, you should hold it there, not further.  You twitch because your muscles receive a signal from the tendon to keep from stretching too far.

3. Awareness

Often, we don’t pay attention when we exercise.  We might watch TV when we are on the bike.  Or listen to music while we run through the park.  This might help you lose weight, but it doesn’t help you learn about your body habits.  How you carry yourself throughout the day is vitally important not only to your posture, but to your health in general.  If you can’t pay attention when you are using your body in as physical an activity as working out, how can you expect to know when you are sitting in an awkward and painful position?

4. Grace

There is an elegance in every movement.  Your job is to find the elegance in the movement you are doing right now.  Stay present in your exercise, and look for a way to do the exercise with grace.  Since exercises reflect who you want to be, you should do them with the utmost care.

These four virtues, which play a large part in yoga, help make the connection between your exercises to improve posture and the rest of your life.  A complete exercise system couldn’t function without these or similar principles.  They are so vital to bringing the benefits of your practice to the rest of your life.