Deb's Posture Story

This story of a personal journey in correcting posture was kindly contributed by Gokhale Method student Debra Claire, of Madison, Wisconsin.

ORIGIN OF POSTURAL PROBLEMS  

I’m grateful to be telling my Gokhale story, for the significant improvement I’ve gained. I developed postural problems early in life as the result of a visual loss at age 16. The loss came on gradually and led to a diagnosis that met the legal blindness criteria. To see, I’ve had to hold things close and often end up hunching over to make out what I’m working on, whether it’s chopping on a butcher block, writing at my desk, or working on my tablet.

An example of how hunched I used to be when working at counter level 

Looking back at wedding photos, I see even at age 30 my shoulders and head were already curving forward. As I’ve aged, I’ve begun to have soreness in my hips from arthritis. When all the physical stressors come together, my back muscles spasm. In addition, four years ago, I developed peripheral neuropathy from a B12 deficiency. The nerve pain in my feet and calves from this can be quite uncomfortable, with only moderate relief from prescribed medication.

Because of my vision impairment, I do not drive and have been very dependent on walking to get around. I am often on my feet all day, but with the cumulative effect of the structural problems, I would need to get off my feet after just a couple hours. Dancing, one of my favorite activities, had led to hip pain and so I had to cut back on it.  

STRATEGIES TRIED

Neck, shoulder, and arm pain had become chronic from the bent-over position I’ve held over the years.

To relieve it, I’ve had many massages, trips to the chiropractor, physical therapy, yoga and other exercise classes, heated rice socks, pain-killers, and numerous anti-inflammatories such as turmeric and glucosamine. I’ve also favored nutritional approaches and have experimented with anti-inflammatory diets. There’s been temporary lessening of symptoms, but none has had a lasting, systemic impact.

IMPACT OF THE GOKHALE METHOD

Since conventional methods had such limited effects, I was getting ready to try acupuncture, as well as energetic and other more esoteric methods of healing. Then, I attended a free workshop this summer on the Gokhale Method and was intrigued. What if my discomfort, including nerve pain, was being caused by my poor posture? I found the descriptions of anatomical maladaptations common in the U.S. and the images of postures in other non-suffering cultures to be compelling. I immediately signed up for private lessons and devoted myself to the practices. I felt I would need the one-on-one lessons because I might not see what needed to be done in the group setting. At first, my body rebelled at the new way of moving and holding myself, but intuitively it felt right and I quickly rolled with it. Initially, I was a bit awkward, overdoing some of the postures. However, I grew excited over the sense of command I experienced over my body. My instructor, Doreen, was skilled and knew an impressive amount of detail about anatomy. The lessons were clear and specific. After 6 weeks, I had a spectacular recovery. I had assumed there would be some improvement in my skeletal structure, but only fantasized about improvement in the nerve pain. All of it lifted! I felt waves of relief at the reduction of pain. When I pulled weeds in the yard, I was able to sustain the effort much longer than in the past with the benefit of the hip-hinge. I now enjoy bending forward because it feels good. Additionally, to my surprise, I feel more confidence, agility, and solidity because I have better command of my stride. As my vision decreased, I had become more tentative in my movements. The progress I made with the Gokhale Method has given me back more assurance in maneuvering in the world.

To maintain my new, proper posture, Doreen suggested modifications to my home. Instead of stooping over my tablet, I now prop it up at eye level.

With this new modification to my home, I'm now encouraging an upright posture rather than setting myself up to hunch toward my task

Instead of hunching over to chop vegetables, I stand taller, using a modified knife that cuts set slices. I roll my shoulders multiple times a day. It all supports my postural health.

With some useful tools and modifications, I can go about my daily tasks without needing to compromise my body's structure

RECOMMENDATION

Although some symptoms show up occasionally, they are much more mild and don’t stay as long. I just returned from a fantasy trip to England. I credit this more authentic movement with allowing me to power cruise the amazing sights in iconic places for 8 days.

Taking on the Gokhale Method training was a big commitment, but I can’t think of anything more important than investing in one’s ability to walk and move from day to day. Now I’m even able to get back to dancing, and having fun with my belly dance classes!

Before     |     After   

Before     |     After   

Before     |     After