Chinese Medicine and Posture

I came across an article that was written in The Epoch Times about the importance of posture in Chinese culture, not only in present day but, more importantly, throughout Chinese history. From the time of Confucius, there is evidence that maintaining good sitting and standing posture was important not only for one's physical health, but for their mental and emotional health as well. 

Without good sitting and standing posture, the Chinese believe, the qi, or energy, cannot travel freely and correctly through the body. I'm increasingly interested in learning about Chinese medicine, not only because I have friends and acquaintances who have had success with it, but because it is so very different than what we practice in the West. Don't get me wrong, I fully value Western medicine and have, of course, been able to live a healthy and active life because of it. But what interests me is that this ancient art of Chinese medicine (and isn't it interesting that we call Chinese medicine an art...) is based on something so completely different than the hard and visible science in which Western medicine is rooted. 

It is entirely logical to understand the importance of posture not only from a structural and mechanical viewpoint, but from one of something less tangible but equally important: the flow of energy.  If the pathways by which the energy flows are not in the correct alignment, that energy will get stuck and have difficulty moving freely. I know this is a very basic understanding of a complex concept, but at the crux it makes sense, especially in regards to the alignment of the human body. And if energy cannot freely and correctly flow through the body, imagine the butterfly effect it would have on, say, our mood, our emotions, and our personal interactions as well as the effect on how we feel in our bodies. 

I feel so much better when I stand up straight. More open, physically and emotionally. More confident and secure. Take a note of your posture. You don't have to make any changes, but just start by being aware. Let me know what you think.