Illustration: Denis Shifrin

I’m wary about approaching a stranger, even when I see that his posture is so bad I know he’ll eventually have back pains. But in this case I broke.

He was walking with his head leaning so far forward that he had to support his chin with his left hand. His right hand, below his left elbow, supported the supporting hand.

“You must lift your head up”, I said.

Well, what did I expect? For a split second he looked at me – the look said ‘another peculiar specimen of Tel Aviv’ – and he walked on. Since then I’ve seen him several times – still stooping. He looks bad.

The back is a strong and willing part of the body. But after many years of abuse even the strongest back will eventually protest.  

There are two posture problems that I notice on the streets every day, both involving the upper part of the body. A lot of people lean either too far forward, or lean backwards.

This seems pretty obvious – but is it?

Recently I began to get back pains. It was only when I saw – by chance – a picture of myself standing in a street in Paris that I realized that the young man was leaning backwards, putting extra pressure on his spine. That was 50 years ago! No wonder the back eventually complained.

So okay, I started to lift up my head (walking tall). I would often forget, but as soon as I remembered, I made the effort and straightened up again.

Over the years the procedure hasn’t altered much. I still forget, but I keep on trying. And I don’t get backache.

As I saw, with my wife (this time forward stooping) the same rule applies. Head up, shoulders positioned more or less above the hips, nicely balanced on one’s feet. We remind each other, and we’re both in pretty good condition!

There’s no miracle involved – just keep on with it. Your back will be grateful.