NPI Certified Professional™ Profile - Tina Haller

The National Posture Institute prides itself on the work its certified professionals do for their clients/patients and communities. In this article we want to share the experience of one of our NPI-Certified Posture Specialists and her client. Tina Haller and her client Ken Cox have worked together for some time and we were able to interview them about the work they do together.

The National Posture Institute would like to thank all our certified professionals for the work they do and we hope this example will inspire more fitness and allied-health/medical professionals to consider becoming more educated about posture, body alignment, and becoming an expert in teaching resistance training exercises to correct posture.

Interview of NPI-Certified Posture Specialist Tina Haller and her client Ken Cox

1. How long have you been an NPI CPS?

I have been a NPI CPS for almost 3 years. I received my certification in December 2011 and subsequently completed the resistance training program in May 2013.

2. What are the most difficult client postural problems you've had to work with?

I find that clients who present with rotator cuff issues the most challenging, especially if these injuries have been in a chronic state for a while. It is a slow recovery process which takes a lot of patience and perseverance from the client, to regain mobility and strength to these muscles.

3. What's the most fulfilling part of your role as a CPS?

Having the ability to improve a client’s imbalances with posture correcting and strength training and visually seeing these improvements from photo to photo as we progress through the client’s program. In addition, by improving these imbalances, many chronic issues (e.g. back pain) that a client had experienced prior to coming have improved considerably or disappeared.

4. What's the most frequent postural deviation you've encountered?

Most client’s present with shoulder imbalances. These imbalances are usually 2-fold a) depression in one shoulder as compared to the other and b) rounded shoulders with forward head protrusion.

5. What population/group do you work with most often?

My most prevalent demographic are clients between 40-55 years.  This demographic includes people who are starting to experience some issues and now have more time to focus on themselves to improve their health and wellness.

6. What reactions have you received from clients/patients about the work you did with them?

One element that I focus strongly on with all my clients is to bring body awareness to the forefront when doing everyday activities and strength training exercises. It is a great feeling of accomplishment when a client has an aha moment when they have a mind-body connection with the muscle that they are trying to engage. For example, many clients have great difficulty isolating the trapezius muscles while doing a 1-arm bent over row on a bench.  The tendency is to engage the surrounding muscles like the shoulder to compensate for the trapezius muscle not engaging.

7. How does it make you feel to be a NPI-CPS?

I am so grateful for the knowledge I have gained through the NPI certification program.  I feel that as a personal trainer I am better equipped with the knowledge and tools to provide the best service for my clients.

8. How do you think your clients feel about their posture now that you've worked with them?

I have received many comments from my clients indicating that they are experiencing less back pain, have better proprioception and have a newly found relationship with their core. 

Ken Cox - Tina Haller's Client

1. How long have you been working with your Certified Posture Specialist (CPS)?

I began working with Tina in February 2014 as part of my recovery plan from a severe spine injury. Lost a disc between T8 and T9 from a severe staph-A infection followed by self-fusing of the two vertebrae. 

2. How did your muscles, body, and joints feel before starting with your CPS and how do you feel now?

I was in pain for 5 months prior to the staph-A infection being found and then after 3 months in bed and using a torso brace to sit up, my muscles felt weak and sore. Now after working with Tina for 7 months during and post recovery, I feel stronger than I have in the past 30 years.   

3. How do you feel about your relationship with your CPS?

I have total confidence in Tina’s guidance and her ability to judge when I can be “pushed” to the next level.

4. How do you feel overall now that you've taken steps toward improving your posture?

At first, I was nervous about whether my back/spine would always have pain or discomfort due to the injury.  Now I feel confident that the strengthening and improvement of my supporting muscles has helped me avoid discomfort and allowed me to improve quicker than doctors expected.  I am running sooner than expected again without pain!

5. What improvements, if any, have you made on your posture?

I have noticed that I sit more erect than I did before. I have a career that does require a fair amount of desk work. 

6. Do you feel that your posture has improved your ability to perform daily activities and exercises?

Without a doubt! In fact, I am doing exercises now with relative ease that I had problems doing in the past! 

7. What has been the most fulfilling part of your journey?

Actually, finding out that at 60 years of age, I am feeling stronger than I did at 40 and being able to enjoy activities again that I thought I would have to let go for the rest of my life.   Also, it has been fulfilling in an unintentional way, to find out that I may be inspiring others, who have inspired me in my past, with my perseverance, determination and positive outlook.