The following post is written by Hope Gillerman, Alexander Technique Teacher and founder of H. Gillerman Organics. For more information, visit her website
http://www.hgillermanorganics.com/ or
www.alexandertechnyc.com/.
TOTING, SWINGING, LUGGING & SCHLEPPING: Part 2SWINGING YOUR TOTE BAG If you carry a tote bag-
-The shorter the straps the better.
-Don't lock your elbow on your toting side. As you walk, relax your shoulders, lift your chest and let the bag swing. Let your free arm swing too.
-Keep your body straight and shoulders even; don't lean away from the side carrying the bag. If you carry the tote in your right hand (for example), don't lean left to manage the weight of the bag. If you can't do this, you should be carrying two totes, one on each side.
-If you are stuck with a single bag that is super heavy, carry it in both arms in front of you.
DOUBLE TOTING
-The best way to carry heavy loads is to divide them into two bags.
-Two tote bags of equal weight or two shoulder bags.
WISH YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LUG
Most people lug heavy stuff in backpacks. But there's a difference between Backpacks and Citypacks:
A BACKPACK: is for hiking or traveling. It has heavily padded shoulder straps, a strap across the chest and a strap around the waist. The idea is that the weight of your bag is distributed evenly across your torso and fundamentally supported by your hips.
A CITYPACK: is for light loads (no more than you would put in a shoulder bag). It doesn't have the extra straps around the chest and hips because you need to be able to slip it off your shoulder quickly so you can swing it to the front and easily access your wallet or ipod.
PROBLEM: Using the city pack as if it were a backpack. This means the full weight of computer, books, etc. is supported by your shoulders. You end up leaning forward, straining your lower back, hunching your shoulders and walking with extra stress on your knees
and feet. If you don't already feel the long-term effects, you may feel the strain and discomfort--or you may notice your shoulders feeling sore all the time.
SOLUTION: If you have to carry heavy loads daily, invest in a small backpack with all the bells and whistles by going to a sporting goods store, ordering from LLBean, Rei, EMS or the like. They don't have to be expensive. If you can try them first, put something in the bag and adjust the straps to ensure the weight of the bag sits on your hips without putting pressure on your shoulders.
TO TRAVEL IS TO SCHLEPP
-Simple - everything on wheels.
-Buy the best luggage you can afford with a premium on easy-to-maneuver. Make sure the height of the handle is high enough for you and that the wheels move easily.
-When you are in transit, everything you carry should be transported by your wheelie--strapped on in some way that is secure.
-For carry on luggage--the best is something soft you can put in your lap and rest your folded arms on to reduce stress on you're your neck/shoulders/lower back, OR a firm-sided wheelie you can rest your feet on to increase circulation in your legs for long flights.
H. GILLERMAN ORGANICS REMEDIES THAT HELP
-For any sprains, strains, pain, extra tension or muscle fatigue, True Relaxation Muscle Remedy will solve the problem so you can focus on how to carry your bag.
-Combine it with Clear Mind Tension Remedy for an immediate penetrating relief. As an extra bonus both oils work to revive your mind so you are more focused and alert.
-When you buy both together in a Loosen Up Wellness Kit you get an illustrated booklet with more tips and exercises for staying tension and pain-free.
Visit Hope's website,www.hgillermanorganics.com, for more information on her remedies.
TOTING, SWINGING, LUGGING & SCHLEPPING: Part 2
SWINGING YOUR TOTE BAG
If you carry a tote bag-
-The shorter the straps the better.
-Don't lock your elbow on your toting side. As you walk, relax your shoulders, lift your chest and let the bag swing. Let your free arm swing too.
-Keep your body straight and shoulders even; don't lean away from the side carrying the bag. If you carry the tote in your right hand (for example), don't lean left to manage the weight of the bag. If you can't do this, you should be carrying two totes, one on each side.
-If you are stuck with a single bag that is super heavy, carry it in both arms in front of you.
DOUBLE TOTING
-The best way to carry heavy loads is to divide them into two bags.
-Two tote bags of equal weight or two shoulder bags.
WISH YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO LUG
Most people lug heavy stuff in backpacks. But there's a difference between Backpacks and Citypacks:
A BACKPACK: is for hiking or traveling. It has heavily padded shoulder straps, a strap across the chest and a strap around the waist. The idea is that the weight of your bag is distributed evenly across your torso and fundamentally supported by your hips.
A CITYPACK: is for light loads (no more than you would put in a shoulder bag). It doesn't have the extra straps around the chest and hips because you need to be able to slip it off your shoulder quickly so you can swing it to the front and easily access your wallet or ipod.
PROBLEM: Using the city pack as if it were a backpack. This means the full weight of computer, books, etc. is supported by your shoulders. You end up leaning forward, straining your lower back, hunching your shoulders and walking with extra stress on your knees
and feet. If you don't already feel the long-term effects, you may feel the strain and discomfort--or you may notice your shoulders feeling sore all the time.
SOLUTION: If you have to carry heavy loads daily, invest in a small backpack with all the bells and whistles by going to a sporting goods store, ordering from LLBean, Rei, EMS or the like. They don't have to be expensive. If you can try them first, put something in the bag and adjust the straps to ensure the weight of the bag sits on your hips without putting pressure on your shoulders.
TO TRAVEL IS TO SCHLEPP
-Simple - everything on wheels.
-Buy the best luggage you can afford with a premium on easy-to-maneuver. Make sure the height of the handle is high enough for you and that the wheels move easily.
-When you are in transit, everything you carry should be transported by your wheelie--strapped on in some way that is secure.
-For carry on luggage--the best is something soft you can put in your lap and rest your folded arms on to reduce stress on you're your neck/shoulders/lower back, OR a firm-sided wheelie you can rest your feet on to increase circulation in your legs for long flights.
H. GILLERMAN ORGANICS REMEDIES THAT HELP
-For any sprains, strains, pain, extra tension or muscle fatigue, True Relaxation Muscle Remedy will solve the problem so you can focus on how to carry your bag.
-Combine it with Clear Mind Tension Remedy for an immediate penetrating relief. As an extra bonus both oils work to revive your mind so you are more focused and alert.
-When you buy both together in a Loosen Up Wellness Kit you get an illustrated booklet with more tips and exercises for staying tension and pain-free.
Visit Hope's website,www.hgillermanorganics.com, for more information on her remedies.