I was thinking today about what strikes me the most when I see people. I would say two things: their energy level and posture.
While a person's energy levels may depend on various external factors, maintaining good posture is entirely within their own control.
What I see a lot these days is hunched backs creating a double-whammy effect: the stomach appears larger and the bum flatter. The effect of bad posture on the face and neck is even worse: a double chin; the head is stuck forward and looking down at their phone screen (always looking at the phonenwhen walking, sitting in a restaurant, everywhere really).
Last but not least, poor posture can make people look considerably older than they actually are. I also believe that consistently poor posture can contribute to premature ageing, affecting not only how we look but also how we move and carry ourselves.
Posture, breathing and the power of your voice
Poor posture is not merely an aesthetic issue, although the importance of aesthetics should not be underestimated.
Bad posture also affects our breathing and consequently the way we use our voices. When we slump forward, round our shoulders and compress our upper body, we can restrict the natural movement of our rib cage. As a result, breathing may become shallower, with greater reliance on the upper chest and accessory breathing muscles.
Good posture provides a better physical foundation for breathing. An upright, balanced position allows the rib cage to move more freely and gives the diaphragm room to work efficiently. This supports better breath management, which is essential for speaking clearly, sustaining phrases and projecting the voice without unnecessary strain.
On top of that, an upright posture can communicate confidence, composure, alertness and self-assurance. A permanently hunched position may unintentionally suggest tiredness, discomfort, uncertainty or disengagement.
Of course, posture alone does not determine someone's personality or confidence. However, it contributes significantly to the impression we create. One of my favourite authors, Niccolò Machiavelli, articulated the power of appearance with remarkable insight:
“Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.”
(The Prince, Chapter XVIII (1513)
My app Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause (iOS / Android) offers practical posture preparation and breathing exercises that help enlarge lung capacity for confident voice projection.
If your posture is particularly poor, I recommend consulting an osteopath and incorporating targeted physical exercises into your daily routine, ideally several times a day, to gradually improve your posture and body alignment.
Yours
Olga Smith