By Andrea Parkinson
Personal Trainer

The next time you are standing and waiting for something (a train, a bank teller, etc), take some time to do a quick core check.  Stand with your feet hip width apart, toes, knees and hips facing forward.  Pull your shoulder blades down and back without sticking your ribcage out.  Draw your navel in towards your spine and imagine a belt being pulled tightly around your hips.  Take smallish breaths and narrow your waist a bit more with every exhale.  Think of the crown of your head lifting towards the ceiling while your tailbone reaches for your heels.  Try to maintain this posture for a minute.  Then, allow yourself to semi collapse into your normal casual stance and note the difference.  Repeat often.