Fireweed and sitting up straight

Reading from Tuesday and Wednesday July 21 and 22, 2015 yoga class

I have a friend Sandy Brue who lives up in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  She sent an email about seeing fireweed in bloom in Bayfield and if I knew the story of the fireweed.  I looked it up and here's what I found:

Each fireweed is a living, blooming chronometer of summer--brilliantly marking the season's progress.  When the plant reaches a height of a foot or two, the first blossoms will emerge.  As summer progresses, the petals will climb continuously higher.  When they reach the tip, summer is all but over!!

The fireweed is a compelling signal to get out and DO something because when blooms reach tips and the plant goes cottony with seed, I know the wind that will spread next year's crop of fireweed will soon bear winter's first flakes of snow!

Fireweed is a willow herb which is very grounding.  It helps revive a person after long-term stress.  The flower essence helps us realize the abundance of love: within and without.

There was an article in this week's Louisville Courier Journal about reasons why to sit up straight.  The title of the article is: "A slouch making you a grouch?"  Here are the five reasons:

1. You'll be taken more seriously... an erect posture send signals to others that you are in charge.

2. You will look slimmer...and who doesn't want that? Pulling your shoulders back and reaching your head toward the ceiling will instantly add the illusion of more height and less girth.

3. Your brain will get more oxygen...when you slump in your seat, you reduce your lung capacity by 30%

4. You'll have less neck pain...all that slouching puts strain on your neck muscles

5. You'll improve your balance...slouching while sitting deactivates your pelvic muscles, which are crucial to stabilizing your body.  Sitting up tall engages these muscles, giving your midsection a mini workout without setting foot in a gym.