Proprioceptors

Proprioceptors are specialized sensory receptors that provide the central nervous system with information needed to maintain muscle tone and perform complex coordinated movement.  The ability to know where your body is in space is a function your proprioceptors.  These microscopic sensors allow you to know where your body is located in relation to your environment.

For example, if you are not aware of your body at this moment, the mere mention of the concept of body perception may create a change in your perception of your body (this is potentially a good thing).

Now, become aware of your left foot.  Can you feel it there, in your shoe, touching the ground?  Good!  Now become aware of your low back.  Are you sitting up strait or slouching?  You probably just straightened up, didn't you?  Ok, here is where it gets interesting.  We all have our "comfort zone" with regard to our posture and daily movement patterns: we sleep in our bed, commute to work either by walking, public transportation or car.  Once there we probably sit at a desk, computer or conference table for most of the day.  These are the positions that your body assumes day in and day out.

What then happens is that this becomes your norm or comfort zone - being shaped like you are sitting and typing on a computer becomes your new normal position - forget about standing up straight.  Standing up straight with good posture for someone who spends most of their waking life desk bound is now an extreme position. Good posture can not be perceived as it is far out of your comfort zone.  Without strengthening, conditioning and posture work your body will actually fight to put you back in the chair position rather than assume erect upright posture.  You need help.