In the following video, I demonstrate the anatomical position of the femur during standing and walking. Femur alignment is important for pelvic floor, foot, and knee health, as well as for leg and hip bone density. Watch the video below and grab a weighted string or strap to check your alignment. Practice maintaining this alignment while walking and notice if you feel your glutes engage more.
…when I said I was “horrified” at how my posture was, I was being a little dramatic- I wasn’t horrified I was just a little shocked because I thought I was aligned and obviously wasn’t.
Back your hips up without falling & drop your ribs
Notice how my pelvis untucked naturally (not by force) when I backed my hips up into the plumb line. Once your pelvis is in alignment, your gluteus will be able to fire correctly and balance you out so you don’t feel like you are falling. But the first step for you may be to release the psoas and posterior leg muscles.
See Plumb Line in Red.
To find the greater trochanter (the rough prominence at the upper part of the femur): If you put your hand on the side of the upper femur and abduct your leg, you can feel it easily. The plumb line should fall from there through the midpoint of the knee and ankle.
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Your Habits Become Your Posture
Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.