And How We Teach Movement to Restore Mental Clarity
Let’s bust a myth.
Posture isn’t just about how you look. It’s not about standing tall or sitting up straight for the sake of appearances. At Vital Energy Yoga | Movement, we view posture as something far more powerful — and far more personal. It affects how you think. How you feel. How you make decisions. And yes, even how much energy your brain burns to get through the day.
This is far more important than aesthetics. And there's real cognitive science behind it.
The Brain–Body Loop: Why Posture Isn’t Just Physical
The way you carry your body sends constant feedback to your nervous system. When your head juts forward, shoulders collapse, or breath becomes shallow, your brain has to work harder — much harder — to maintain focus, regulate emotion, and process information.
This is what we call the cognitive cost of poor posture.
When the body is out of balance, your brain picks up the slack. Over time, that compensation creates fatigue, irritability, reduced clarity, and difficulty staying present. The body slouches, and the mind follows.
Movement as a Thinking Practice
That’s why we don’t treat yoga or movement at VE as just “stretching” or “fitness.” Every class — whether it’s SMFT Slow Stretch, SMFT Core Benefits, or SMFT Mobility Flow — is an invitation to rewire not just your body, but your mental clarity.
Our approach is grounded in science but taught through felt experience. We work with posture not to correct it into an ideal, but to make you more aware of it. Why? Because awareness builds options. Options create opportunities for small but important changes. One way we try and bring awareness is through our FSMP Baseline assessment at the very outset. This 1:1 typically at the start of your SMFT journey is an opportunity for us to be educated about what makes your body unique and for us to educate you about your body and why you should train with awareness for those unique features. VE member talks bout her SMFT journey:
“The one-on-one with Ewa at the outset to understand my development areas was so useful. I’ve been committing to the trifecta of core, strength and yoga for the past few months and I’m feeling stronger, more supported, and more able to do other types of exercise now that I’ve built that foundation.”
— Petra Carey
The Smallest Shift Can Have the Biggest Impact
We’ve seen members walk out of class feeling lighter — not because they stretched, but because they remembered how to connect with their deep intrinsic musculature. To breathe more deeply. To soften tension they didn’t even know they were holding.
When you shift the spine, you shift the story. And when your posture supports you, your mind doesn’t have to work so hard to hold it all together. Member Shaila shares the experience of transformation:
“Five months in, my posture has corrected so that I stand upright, I can sit on the floor cross-legged, and I can do weighted exercise and planks without feeling like I’m dying. I love the focus on purposeful breathing and slow movement — and I’m really enjoying my newfound trust in my body and what it’s capable of doing.”
— Shaila Pinto
Want to Think More Clearly? Start With Your Deep Core and Breathing Muscles
If you’ve ever felt foggy, forgetful, or just “not yourself,” take a moment to scan your posture. Notice your breath. Feel your feet. Lengthen your spine upwards.
This isn’t about discipline. It’s about relief. Relief from the pressure on your shoulders, neck and lower back.
And the good news? Your nervous system is trainable. And improvements can come at any age.
You don’t need to be bendy either to work on nervous system and musculoskeletal regualation.
This process starts from the deepest of the operating systems of the body - your intrinsic core and your respiratory system. Online student Julie shares her experience as a student of The 28 Days to a Stronger Core Programme:
“I was breathing differently from Day 1, and that has translated into the rest of my practice. There were exercises I had never done before — and others I wasn’t doing properly. Now I move and breathe with intention. Easily the best money I’ve spent on a [core] programme.”
— Julie Nyombi
De-loading from cognitive strain starts with your posture.
Try It For Yourself
Whether you’re a long-time member or just posture-curious, our Slow Stretch, Core Benefits, and SMFT Mobility Flow classes are designed to rewire your posture and at the same time, regulate your nervous system from the inside out. All movement is guided by our initial 1:1 FSMP baseline assessment (optional but highly recommended) system, which helps you assess and build from your current flexibility, strength, mobility, posture, and breath.
From time to time, we also offer posture-specific check-ins for Gold Members, helping you map your physical patterns and receive tailored insights. Keep an eye on member emails for seasonal opportunities to book in.
Because posture isn’t about perfection — it’s very much about perception. Not somebody else's perception of you because you're slouching but your perception of yourself and how well you create a physiology that supports cognition. Bringing awareness to your posture can bring unexpected benefits and not just the aesthetic ones.
email me directly at ewa@vitalenergyyoga.com
