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 in Tadasana with shoulders drawn down the back, breast bone lifted and “floating ribs” drawn in we project a feeling of confidence and strength. This projection can be a mirror image of our feelings if we breathe life into the posture. As you inhale expand the rib cage and lift the heart, as you exhale draw the floating ribs in and press your feet evenly into the floor. During our inhales we take in everything our environment has to offer (the good and bad) but on our exhales we have the power to let it go and regain control.
