Fitness secrets revealed: Standing tall

July 2, 3:42 PMLA Personal Training ExaminerOzzie Jacobs

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The effort needed to stand tall is often taken for granted…..

Each day our body embarks on a quiet struggle to stand tall against the forces of gravity.  When we are young we are at an advantage but as we grow older, gravity gains the upper hand due to our environment.

The environment we place ourselves in requires us to sit for long hours and hunch over to see tiny computer screens, which weaken the muscles that support the spine.  We know when we are losing this battle because the consequence is pain.

Beyond the physical environment our body also struggles to cope with the emotional toll that our environment places on us.  Stress over finances, heartbreak and family can “weigh us down”. This extra emotional weight that we carry makes it harder for us to stand tall (and proud).

A key concept in yoga that is quite fascinating is the connection between our movement, our posture and our emotions.  When we stand tall with shoulders back, chest lifted and abdominals drawn in and up we project a feeling of confidence and strength.  This projection can be a mirror image of our feelings as we breathe life into the posture.  As you inhale expand the rib cage and lift the heart, as you exhale firm the abdominals and draw the rib cage back together.  During your inhales you take in everything your environment has to offer (the good and bad) but on the exhale you let it go and regain control.

Use Yoga to improve your confidence and mood, check out the following videos:

• Tadasana (The Mountain Pose)
• Yoga for Peace
• Yoga for Energy
• Energizing Weekday Yoga
• Relaxing Weekend Yoga