Starting a new system of exercises to improve posture can be frustrating.  We might expect a lot out of ourselves, especially at the beginning.  We want instant results, and when we don't get them, we feel discouraged.

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

There is usually a big improvement right at the beginning, when you first start a new exercise routine.  Your muscles can quickly adapt to the increased load.  But then you tend to plateau, and your gains will slow down.  Your tendons and ligaments can't adapt as quickly as your muscles can.  After you experience a big change in your posture, it might not get better very quickly.  However, as long as you continue the exercises and do them properly, your posture will get better.  It is just slower.  Keep at it and you will see.

2. Modesty

We tend to overestimate our ability to recover from a workout.  It is especially important when we are dealing with the spine and tendons.  You shouldn't take a spinal or tendon injury lightly.  Having a healthy, pain-free spine is important to your well-being.

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

Paying attention to our own bodies is so important, yet we often just zone out and watch TV while we're at the gym.  We could be feeling all sorts of pain from our body, but we aren't listening.  When your trying to improve your posture, you absolutely must focus on your own body.  How are you holding yourself?  What is tight?  What can I relax?  By paying attention to our movements, we can do them more correctly, improve our enjoyment, and increase our quality of life.

4. Grace

Try to find the elegance in each movement.  Grace is developed slowly over time, but it truly shows in those who have developed it.  When you care about how your body moves and occupies space, it is a deep care for your own health and well-being.  That care will translate to other aspects of your life.

These virtues can help you in your practice to improve posture and in your everyday life.  They help deepen a connection with your body and with your environment.  A good posture exercise program will touch on this kind of non-physical side to exercise and life.  These principles are essential to making your posture practice lead you to great posture and vibrant health.