Counteracting Forward Head Posture - Yoga for Optimizing Spinal Alignment

Counteracting Forward Head Posture - Yoga for Optimizing Spinal Alignment

What are forward head posture and hyperkyphosis and why should you care?

In the last few decades, researchers have become increasingly interested in the health effects of a posture on our health. And, what they are discovering is pretty remarkable.

You may have heard of the new concept of ‘text neck’– which is essentially forward head posture, where our head is forward of the center.  In its more advanced stages, forward head posture may develop into hyperkyphosis. 

You’ve heard about osteoporosis and how important it is to prevent osteoporosis-related loss of bone mass to avoid fractures as you get older. But did you know that a slumped forward posture—if allowed to mature into the full-fledged hyperkyphosis of old age—puts you at risk for the exact same issues as osteoporosis?

Yes, you heard that right – hyperkyphosis is a risk factor for the same problems as osteoporosis, including greater risk for vertebral fractures, greater risk of falls, and fall-related fractures. And, not only that—it is a contributing factor to a host of other health issues as well.

People with hyperkyphosis are more likely to have difficulty performing simple daily tasks like bathing and washing. They are also more likely to fall and hurt themselves. And all of this, unfortunately, paves the road to the nursing home.

Hyperkyphosis has also been found to be a risk factor for fractures of the hip, leg, wrist, shoulder, and arm. The risk is greater the more hunched the back is. This risk is independent of bone mass density, which suggests that hyperkyphosis a separate risk factor for suffering fractures, on par with osteoporosis.

It doesn’t stop there, however. When a person is constantly stooped forward, it puts tremendous pressure on the chest and lung cavity. This in turn restricts breathing capacity or creates shortness of breath.

In the elderly, shortness of breath leads to a host of health issues, including increased anxiety and depression, reduced happiness, and, again, reduced ability to undertake normal daily functions.

Improving posture is not an overnight affair. But fortunately, the ancient yogis created the practice of yoga asanas to create optimal alignment of the spine for long, seated meditation. As a result, yoga contains numerous approaches to transforming posture and spinal alignment.

In this online yoga course, yoga therapist and author Doug Keller explores the physiological significance of posture and shows how we can use yogic concepts and techniques to create greater balance and openness in this vital part of bodily functioning.

Take a Sneak Peek at Doug's Slides:​​