Healthy Memphis

Maybe it was my imagination, but just punching in Elma Schnapp's East Memphis phone number had me sitting up just a bit straighter. It was at the end of a long work week and my shoulders were starting to cave in on my chest. The result left me looking and feeling older.

Schnapp is a physician, former dancer and author of "Young, Sexy and Healthy! The Ten Best Exercises for Your Posture." She recently self-published the book with Moacir Schnapp, her physician husband. At 5-feet, 4-inches, Schnapp said good posture is part of her strategy to look and feel taller.
The exercises include 10 categories, including lunges and abdominal's as well as ones using equipment like elastic bands and an exercise ball. They are designed to strengthen core muscles.

Here's some of what she had to say.

Why write an exercise book focusing on posture?
Schnapp: I wanted to create an awareness of good posture. It is the first thing people notice about you.
If you have good posture, you will have confidence. You are going to look and feel better. You will feel leaner and taller.
But I noticed through the years people were slouching. A lack of exercise, particularly in the back, abdomen and chest, means by the end of the day people were losing their posture and starting to slouch. They didn't have good muscles to support their spine. In order to have a healthy spine, you have to exercise.

Would it be enough if we all had our mother's around reminding us to stand up straight?
Schnapp: You can wake up in the morning and remind yourself to stand with good posture. But unless you have good muscles in your back, abdomen and chest to support good posture, you will slouch by the end of the day. Exercise is fundamental.

How much time do we need to commit to posture?
Schnapp: Twenty minutes a day, two times a week.
The exercises in the book are a little bit of everything - a little Pilates, a little bit of yoga. Find something that will motivate you to continue exercising.

How quickly will someone see a benefit?
Schnapp: You can expect to see a benefit immediately, even if you don't have strong back muscles yet. The awareness is almost as important. It will help you quit bad habits and start exercising.

Where is the book available?
Schnapp: It is available at Amazon.com or iposture.com