PE 101: "How to Stand"

Standing. It sounds simple, yet there is a lot to teaching a person how to stand upright with the least amount of work and the greatest amount of ease. This is a classical view of a basic neutral standing posture. Teaching a "static stance" still has great value because through the process of teaching someone to stand in one spot, they are learning many things about their feet, knees, hips, chest, shoulders, head and neck, and arm and wrist positions too. I noticed when I first began teaching K-6 PE that my students were not connecting to their feet, and when you don't understand or know your feet--you will never be able to move well; hence, my standing directions start with the feet then work up from there. It's still important to learn how to stand, and how gravitational lines influence your body and health. Here's my very simple way of teaching standing stance for today's youth because they really need it due to excessive use of technology, poor postural awareness, and of course--a general lack of physically active lifestyles.

My Issues? There are a few. First, I'm age 60 here. I have mileage! Also, my head is too far forward--at least an inch or so. I have too much forward rounding in my upper back (thoracics). The difference between me and most everyone else is that I know where my postural deformities are, and, I work on them daily to at least control the imbalances if not actually improve a bit at times too. While no one is perfect, we should be striving to improve whether it be standing, walking, or in other areas of life too. Ancient Greeks called this Arete' which meant to "strive for excellence"...even with standing! :)

*Also see my other related videos below:
"Find Your Center"    • PE 101: "Find Your Center"  
"Foot Tripod"    • PE 101: "Foot Tripod"  
"How to Walk"    • PE 101: "How to Walk with Gliding Gait"  

-Ron Jones, MS, Historical Kinesiologist, Physical & Health Educator

*For more info on Ron and classical PE methods, visit: http://theleanberets.com/testimonials-rj