Upper Body Quick Fix Audio Stretching Program and Ways to Improve Posture

Happy Friday,

Welcome to the best part of your week! Today’s newsletter includes a weekly challenge to improve your posture, a free audio stretching program, and more. Please help spread the word so we can keep content coming.

Physical Fitness: Poor Posture and Stretching

• Over two thirds of the U.S. population have poor posture, leading to headaches, neck pain, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. All of these symptoms make it harder for someone to get up and get moving.

• Poor posture is related to the increasing amount of time individuals are spending seated or using computers and smart phones — all of which place us in a forward hunched position.

• Poor posture is even more common for individuals who are blind or have visual impairment. This is due to the forward shoulder and head position that is common when using a cane or listening to smart devices via screen reader.

• The positive news is that poor posture can usually be improved with simple exercises and adopting a stretching routine. The challenge is that improvements require routine and the development of better habits. That’s where Tactile Training comes in.

• I’ve attached a free described audio stretching program for your upper body that is included at the end of this newsletter. It requires no equipment and can be done anywhere. Try performing the routine once a day for the next week.

• If you have trouble downloading the mp4 audio file, reply to this email and I’ll send it directly to you. All you need is to be able to play the audio.

Weekly Challenge: Become Aware of Your Posture

• This Week’s Challenge is to become aware of your posture and take the first step to improve it.

• Become aware of your shoulders and the tension you carry in them. Notice a tendency to elevate your shoulders upwards and forward towards your neck.

• Learning to consciously relax your shoulders throughout the day is a challenge but can be done through practice and awareness. You may be shocked at how often you may tense up.

• Do the following right now:

  1. Take a deep breath in.

  2. As you exhale, allow your shoulders and neck muscles to relax. You should feel your shoulders should melt downward, away from your neck and head. You may feel them drop an inch or two.

  3. Repeat this simple breathing and awareness exercise as often as you’d like over the next week.

  4. Remember to be patient with yourself. Repetition is key to improving posture.

Accessible Technology: AI Powered Envision Glasses

• With the introduction of artificial intelligence into the public consumer sector, we are beginning to see practical use cases for accessible equipment within the blind and visually impaired community. Envision Glasses are AI powered smart glasses that couple wearable technology and artificial intelligence to provide feedback in real time to wearers.

• Envision Glasses have a wide range of features and are capable of instant text reading, scanning text, calling an ally or aira, describing scenes, detecting light, recognizing cash, and more.

• I’m excited to learn how artificial intelligence will continue to improve accessible technology in the future. If you are interested in reading more about the new AI Powered Envision Glasses, check out their website at www.letsenvision.com/glasses/home

Community Highlight: American Council of the Blind

• This week’s community highlight is the well known ACB or American Council of the Blind. The ACB is a U.S. based group that provides resources to the blind and visually impaired community with Chapters based throughout the United States. They emphasize health, wellness, community, and are a terrific place to go.

• If you are looking for a terrific community resource, there aren’t many better options out there. Their Facebook Page is a wonderful place to interact with others and find people in your community. You can visit it by going to www.facebook.com/groups/ACBCommunity

• Their Formal Website is a great place for additional information and news. You can visit it by going to www.acb.org

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter! If you have any issues downloading the free attached audio stretching program below, have questions, or suggestions for future newsletters; contact me at [email protected]. Until next time!

- Coach Brandon