Simulating the human body
There are a number of disciplines actively involved in tackling the problems associated with poor posture. As far as we can make out no discipline has been able to make a convincing case for its methodology. A lot of disciplines, such as traditional body building, and main line medical sciences, take a mechanical approach to the problem, and one would think that they understand the mechanics of the human body - but this does not appear to be the case. A lot of other disciplines focus on mind-body relationships, delivering results that are useful but not the type that the more ambitious among us hope for.
I have wondered at times about the usefulness of conducting a comprehensive computer simulation of the human body. With the information posted in my blog: http://headbalance.blogspot.in/ , the very important question arises, are we going South, when we ought to be going North? Contrary to what many believe, posture cannot be corrected in a jiffy, a number of years will be required to slowly coax the body into a different orientation. There are serious risks associated with doing the wrong things. If we are to convince people that a particular way of correcting posture will yield results, especially since what we propose could be counter intuitive, it is best that we first simulate the same on a computer so that we reduce potential risks to zero. Since practically all adults are getting it wrong, it is not possible to point to an individual (other than children), and say 'do what he is doing'. This being the case, the importance of doing a proper computer simulation becomes obvious.
To start with, the simulation need not be very complex, all that we need to find out is, what is the difference in the flow of muscles when the head is held well balanced, the way children hold their heads, to the way in which adults hold their heads - allowing the head to fall forward. What we need to confirm in the initial simulation is that there is a heaven and earth difference between these two methods of holding the body. We also need to check out how critical this balance is: my suspicion is that it is very critical; balance is achieved dynamically, and children can start to lose this balance very rapidly under adverse environmental conditions.
In Mode I, head held forward, the body will essentially be out of balance. Once it is out of balance, the body will welcome external support, like tight clothing, belts tied around the waste, footwear that limits use of the muscles in the feet, etc. The body will also need to be 'exercised' to keep it fit, since internal balance is not available to exercise the body naturally.
In Mode II, which is only possible if the body is in balance and there are no external impediments to the body achieving balance, the whole body is linked as one integrated unit.
(In this connection we need to also check out why disciplines that are into posture correction do not give advise on the use of pillows. In the semi-supine Alexander Technique position http://www.wholisticresearch.com/info/artshow.php3?artid=194, you will notice that only a thin book is used under the head. In the 'corps posture' of Yoga, no pillows are used: http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/482 . As far as I am aware the use of pillows under the head is not advised for any method of posture correction! Please note: If you use pillows while sleeping it will not be wise to give it up suddenly.)
Since a lot of disciplines like sports medicine, chiropractics and main line medical sciences undoubtedly do simulations of the human body, it will be interesting to find out the kind of simulations that they do.
In conclusion: our forefathers, over the last ten thousand years have been aware of the serious issues raised by improper posture, and they figured out different methods to ameliorate its ill effects, without firmly closing the chapter on the subject, so that humankind could move on to other important issues. It is possible that they may not have had the tools to fully understand the problem; we ourselves cannot hide behind a similar excuse.
