vertical lift, horizontal expansion

A body prompt that holds authority
in my mind. Awareness of slumping,
awareness of collapse of rib cage.
Awareness of folding shoulders from the
cold or hesitancy or feeling threatened
or simply habit. A defeating self-
protection. Why not be big (or
just appear so)? Horizontal expansion of
the shoulders – and why not hips?
I love the vigor and capaciousness.

Title from Yvette Rooke’s article My story of Iyengar yoga and multiple sclerosis, 7/7/2015. One of the messages she took from Garth McLean, yoga instructor: “Culture a vertical lift and horizontal expansion within the body.”