Why “Stand up Straight” Isn’t Enough With Parkinson’s—and What To Do Instead

If you have Parkinson’s, you may have heard this before:

“Stand up straight!”  

Maybe you’ve even said it to yourself.

You notice that you’re leaning forward, your shoulders have rounded, or your head has drifted out in front of you. You straighten up, but a few minutes later…there you are again, hunched over.

Posture with Parkinson’s isn’t simply a matter of remembering to stand up straight. Your brain’s idea of “straight” may not be straight at all.

Parkinson’s can affect the way you perceive your body and movement. A posture that feels perfectly normal to you may look quite different when you see yourself in a mirror or photograph.

If your brain is now used to a more flexed or stooped position, simply trying to “stand up straight” will not give your body enough information to make a meaningful correction. Instead, practice what tall feels like. Yes, posture is something you can practice!

Posture isn’t something we either have or don’t have. It’s an ongoing, fluid process.

If you’ve noticed yourself becoming more stooped, rounded, or forward-flexed, or you simply want to be more intentional about maintaining your posture, check out my latest video: Why “Stand up Straight” Isn’t Enough With Parkinson’s—and What To Do Instead.

Ready to work on your posture? Our Posture School—offered both in person and online—is a great place to start.

Come practice with me, and let’s work on getting taller, more open, and more aware of how you move throughout your day.

💜 Coach Kimberly