Posture for Awareness
Introduction
“Posture for Awareness,” is the second class in a two-part series on the Breath hosted by Abdi Assadi and Pernilla Burke.
It took me years to understand that posture is more than just standing up straight. It is a direct reflection of our presence, our energy, and even our emotions. We are shaped by the way we hold ourselves—physically, mentally, emotionally. I used to think of posture in the way we were taught as kids: something we “should” do, something rigid, something corrective. But I now understand that posture is about energy flow, about openness, about the way we meet life itself. This conversation wasn’t just about sitting or standing better. It was about cultivating an internal posture of presence. It was about learning to move through the world in a way that supports, rather than strains, our entire being.
The Connection Between Posture and Presence
I remember the first time I noticed how my body shaped my energy. Not in an abstract way, but in a visceral, tangible way. It was as if my spine dictated the rhythm of my thoughts, the openness of my heart, and the way I engaged with the world. Posture is not just about standing straight—it’s about presence. So often, we live in a forward-pitched world—our heads leaning into our screens, our shoulders curled inward, subconsciously protecting ourselves from invisible threats. We don’t realize that this physical collapse mirrors an internal one. When the body shrinks, so does our awareness. When we realign, we step into a fuller version of ourselves.
In this conversation, we explored how posture is more than mechanics—it’s a reflection of our inner state. When we lift ourselves from the core, we aren’t just improving our physical stance; we’re reclaiming space in our own lives. The way we hold ourselves affects the way we speak, breathe, and even think. A grounded, upright posture invites clarity, presence, and an openness that transcends the physical. Being present starts with feeling our own presence in the body. From the simple act of standing with awareness, we can transform how we engage with every single moment of our lives.
Practical Adjustments for Relaxation and Stability
One of the most profound shifts I’ve experienced is the realization that relaxation and stability are not opposites. We often think that in order to be strong, we have to tense up, to brace against the world. But true stability is rooted in relaxation—an effortless ease that allows us to move through life with grace rather than resistance. The practice of adjusting our posture is about learning to surrender unnecessary tension while cultivating an inner steadiness. It’s about allowing the spine to lengthen without forcing it, softening the shoulders without collapsing, feeling the weight of the body distributed evenly so that we’re supported, not strained. Breath plays a crucial role in this. When we breathe deeply and fully, we create an internal structure that naturally lifts us, aligning the body without rigidity. The key is not to force ourselves into an “ideal” posture but to find the posture that allows for both strength and softness. We also explored micro-adjustments—subtle shifts in how we sit, stand, and move throughout the day—that can create profound changes in how we feel. These small realignments, done with awareness, become a foundation for emotional stability, reducing stress and fostering a sense of ease.
Integrating Posture Awareness into Daily Life
Bringing posture awareness into daily life is not about adding another “to-do” to an already overflowing list. It’s about using everyday moments as opportunities to check in—to feel the body, to notice where we are holding unnecessary tension, to shift and realign with intention. It can be as simple as standing in the kitchen, waiting for water to boil, and noticing—Am I balanced? Am I breathing fully? Or catching ourselves hunched over our phones and choosing, instead, to lift our gaze. These small moments accumulate. Over time, they reshape not just our bodies but our awareness of ourselves. We begin to feel more connected, more present. We start to notice how our inner state changes when we move through the world with an open chest and a lengthened spine versus when we collapse inward. The beauty of this practice is that it doesn’t require extra time—just a shift in consciousness. And that shift can lead to a deeper connection, not just with our own bodies, but with life itself.
Conclusion
Our posture is our foundation. It is the silent language we speak to the world, the structure that holds our energy, the bridge between our physical and emotional states. When we bring awareness to how we hold ourselves, we cultivate presence. We shift from unconscious tension to conscious ease. We become more rooted, more open, more alive.
This is the invitation: to move through life not with force, but with flow. To stand, breathe, and be—fully, intentionally, beautifully.
