Summer Exercises

If you've been using your Exercise Pole all year, then bathing suit season is probably a highlight of your year. If not, then you may want to consider how you can use the Exercise Pole to help you improve your body image.

We've all seen pictures of how much thinner and younger people look when they have good posture. Think about that when you walk into the public beach wearing your suit. Act the part of fit and confident and you'll come across that way, regardless of your condition.

The Exercise Pole can help you find your true balance. Because it's a straight line in a mirror, you can easily see your posture imperfections. Here's how:
1. Align yourself to the pole with feet on either side of it and look in the mirror.
- Is one shoulder higher than the other?
- Is your right or left hip slightly more pronounced?
2. If so, then start with your feet, and make them even.
3. Rock from side to side, foot to foot until you feel no strain, pressure or imbalance.
4. Look in the mirror to see if your legs are even. Adjust the weight distribution on your legs slightly until you feel no strain, pressure or imbalance.
- Do the same thing with each section of your body--hips, chest, shoulders and neck.
5. Hold this position for as long as seems helpful. Could be a minute, could be 10 minutes. You are teaching your body to stand up straight.
6. Extend your spine so you are slightly taller. Wow, don't you look and feel better?
7. Turn to the side and repeat this exercise so your front-to-back are aligned in good posture.
8. Now, visualize yourself at the beach.
9. Step away from the Exercise Pole and try to retain this balanced new posture. Hold it as long as you can, try walking around.

Next time you prepare for the beach or pool, do this exercise first and you'll be amazed how easy it is to look and feel good when you practice good posture!