A Is for Alignment: Why Your Posture Might Be Causing Your Pain

September 28, 2025

Let’s talk about something unsexy but totally game-changing when it comes to feeling good in your body again: alignment.


You know that achy lower back that kicks in halfway through the day? Or the neck and shoulder tension that magically appears after wrangling your toddler into a car seat? That’s not just motherhood, mama. That’s misalignment.


Postpartum bodies are incredible, but they’re also navigating big changes - from shifting organs and weakened cores to the daily circus act of holding a baby on one hip, pushing a stroller with one hand, and trying to drink cold coffee with the other. It’s no wonder your body feels like it’s yelling at you.



The good news? You can absolutely do something about it. And it starts with understanding alignment.

So, What Is Alignment, Really?

Alignment is the way your body is stacked. Think of your body as a building: your head, ribs, pelvis, and feet are like floors. If one is tilted or shifted, the whole structure compensates and that leads to pain, tension, and inefficient movement.



In the ABC Method (that’s Alignment, Breath, Core), we always start here because alignment affects everything. Your breath, your core function, your pelvic floor, your energy levels - all of it.


When your alignment is off, your body recruits the wrong muscles to do the job, and the muscles that should be working (like your deep core) stay asleep. Over time, this leads to those oh-so-familiar mama pains: lower back discomfort, hip tightness, neck strain, and more.

Why It Matters Postpartum (and Beyond)

Pregnancy shifts your alignment by design - hello, growing belly and tilted pelvis. Postpartum, your body doesn’t just magically shift back. That "mom posture"- arched lower back, forward-tilted pelvis, rib flare, rounded shoulders can stick around long after birth.

Here’s what poor alignment can impact:

  • Core and pelvic floor function (aka: leaking, pressure, coning)
  • Breathing patterns (shallow chest breathing vs. deep core-activating breath)
  • Neck, shoulder, and back pain
  • How you move and carry weight (like your baby, car seat, or groceries)

Translation: alignment is not just about standing tall. It’s about feeling better all day long.

How to Check Your Alignment

Here’s a quick mama-friendly self-check you can do anywhere (yes, even while your kid is watching Cocomelon):


1. Feet: Are they hip-width and pointing forward?


2. Knees: Soft, not locked.


3. Pelvis: Is your tailbone tucked under or are you sticking your booty out? You want to be in neutral, as if your pelvis is a bowl of water that isn't spilling forward or backward.


4. Ribs: Are they flared up? Gently drop them so they’re stacked over your pelvis. Think of tying a soft bow from your last 2 ribs to the top of your hips. 


5. Shoulders: Roll them up, back, and down. No shrugging here. Create more space from your ears to your shoulders


6. Head: Ears over shoulders, not jutting forward like a turtle (no offense, turtles).



It might feel weird at first, but that’s just because your body’s gotten used to being out of alignment. The more you practice, the more natural it becomes.

4 Everyday Ways to Improve Your Alignment

1. Carry Baby in the Center, Not on the Hip
We know, we know - the hip carry feels natural. But it throws off your entire alignment. Try using a front carrier or switching sides often to stay more balanced.


2. Sit with Support
Use a rolled-up towel behind your lower back, plant your feet flat, and keep your ribs stacked over your pelvis. (No more couch slouching for hours of feeding.)


3. Align Before You Move
Before lifting your baby, pushing a stroller, or doing a workout, take a breath and check your posture. It takes five seconds and makes a big difference.



4. Stretch What’s Tight, Strengthen What’s Weak
Most mamas have tight hips and weak glutes. Our Virtual Gym programs include alignment-focused strength and mobility work so you’re not just working out; you’re moving smarter.

Alignment Is the A in ABC for a Reason

Alignment is step one in our ABC Method because it sets the stage for everything else - breathwork, core activation, strength, and yes, feeling like yourself again.


In the ABC Fit Virtual Gym, we guide you through alignment-focused workouts that are actually designed for your postpartum body. No guesswork, no "suck it in and hope for the best" cues. Just real education, real support, and real results.

The Bottom Line

Mama, pain doesn’t have to be your normal. You don’t have to just accept the aches, tension, or "this is just how it is now" mindset.

With the right tools, awareness, and a little posture check here and there, you can feel better in your body again.



If you’re ready to start with alignment and build a stronger, more supported body from the ground up, we’d love to have you in the ABC Fit Virtual Gym.


Try it free for 5 days and see what smart movement really feels like.

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