held up and back

[unpakwon]

Would you please paraphrase the following in red more easily?

This traditional posture is sometimes called the seven-point meditation posture. In brief, the seven are:

1. Back straight "like an arrow"
2. Legs crossed in "lotus position"
3. Shoulders relaxed, held up and back, "like a vulture"
...

Thank you.

[emsr2d2]

Can you imagine what a vulture looks like when it's not flying? Raise your shoulders up towards your ears then move them back do your shoulder blades come closer together.

[susiedq]

Well, it is confusing.

How can the shoulders be relaxed and held up and back at the same time?

The sentence should have read;

3. Shoulders relaxed, then pulled up and back, "like a vulture"
...

[emsr2d2]

Well, it is confusing.

How can the shoulders be relaxed and held up and back at the same time?

The sentence should have read;

3. Shoulders relaxed, then pulled up and back, "like a vulture"
...

I see your point. I only looked at the "held up and back" part. I didn't notice that it said "relaxed" as well. That seems nigh on impossible to me too.

[unpakwon]

Thank you all for the help.