The Problem With “Fixing” Posture

Why effort-based posture doesn’t last

In a world obsessed with correction, we’ve been taught that better posture comes from trying harder: sit up straighter, pull your shoulders back, brace your core, stretch more, stretch longer. The problem? Muscles don’t actually change through force. They change through learning.

This is where somatic movement offers a completely different—and often more effective—approach.

Somatics focuses on relaxing muscles rather than correcting posture. Instead of telling your body what it should do, you give your nervous system the space to notice what it’s already doing. From there, change happens naturally. Not instantly. Not dramatically. But deeply and sustainably.

Why Muscles Stay Tight

Muscle guarding vs weakness

Most chronic tension isn’t caused by weakness or poor discipline. It’s caused by muscles that are stuck in a constant state of contraction due to stress, injury, habit, or simply the pace of modern life. Stretching a muscle that’s already clenched is like pulling on a rope that’s tied in a knot—you might feel something, but you’re not actually undoing the problem.

How Somatic Movement Works

Resetting muscle resting tone through awareness

Slow, mindful lengthening works differently. In somatic movement, you gently contract and then slowly release a muscle, teaching the brain that it’s safe to let go. The goal isn’t to stretch farther—it’s to feel more. That awareness is what allows the muscle to reset its resting tone.

How relaxed muscles organize posture naturally

This is why posture doesn’t need to be “held.” When muscles learn how to relax, posture organizes itself without effort. Your body already knows how to stack itself efficiently. It just needs permission to stop gripping.

Why Slow Movement Feels So Hard

Productivity culture and the nervous system

The pace matters more than we want to admit. In a culture where everything moves fast—scrolling, working, exercising, even “recovering”—slowing down can feel almost painful for the brain. You might feel impatient, restless, or even annoyed when asked to move slowly. That discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing it wrong. It’s a sign your nervous system isn’t used to being listened to.

And sometimes, when you move slowly, things feel… strange. Jerky. Shaky. Uncoordinated. That can be unsettling if you expect smooth, controlled motion. But those micro-shakes are actually a good sign. They mean your brain is reestablishing communication with muscles that have been on autopilot for years. It’s your nervous system learning a new option: release instead of brace.

This process looks nothing like forcing a stretch or “correcting” posture in a mirror. It looks small. Almost boring. But the effects are powerful. Less pain. More ease. Movement that feels lighter instead of effortful.

Why small, slow change creates lasting results

True change doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing less, with more awareness.

In a fast world, slow movement is revolutionary. Giving your body time to unwind isn’t laziness or avoidance; it’s intelligent care. When you stop trying to fix your body and start teaching it how to let go, posture, strength, and comfort follow naturally.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do for your body… is slow down.

If you’ve spent years trying to fix your posture without relief, your body isn’t failing—it may just be holding too much.

At Breathe., we use nervous-system–informed physical therapy and somatic movement to help the body release tension instead of bracing against it.

Learn how our whole-body approach supports posture, comfort, and ease—without forcing or correction.

Healing Isn’t About Fighting Your Body

Why safety matters for women with autoimmune disease

For women living with autoimmune disease, healing isn’t about forcing the body to cooperate. It’s about creating safety. Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is slow down, soften, and allow your nervous system to remember that it doesn’t have to fight all the time.

If you’re living with autoimmune disease and feel like your body is always on edge, you don’t have to figure this out alone.

At Breathe., we take a whole-body, nervous-system–informed approach to care. Our work isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about creating safety, awareness, and support so your body can do less fighting and more healing.

Learn how pelvic health physical therapy and somatic movement may support your nervous system.

Breathe. is unique! Integrative physical therapy for women. Private, personalized care that celebrates client victories, big and small. We believe all women deserve to live energetic, vibrant and active lives and it’s our mission to be a partner in achieving that, by specializing in dry needling, DRA, pants peeing, pregnancy/postpartum pain and recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, headaches, back pain and other orthopedic concerns.

Appointments available in Des Moines and Iowa City / Cedar Rapids / North Liberty area. www.breatheptw.com