Tadasana - Ta Da!

Tadasana (Mountain Pose) looks like you are standing at attention.  So, why is this a yoga pose? What you are working on is aligning your body so the bones line up from skull to the bottom of your feet. You are practicing good posture.  As you practice this seemingly simple pose, you will realize how many parts of your body are out of place, weak, and stiff.

Below is a picture of me (Yikes! What was I thinking.  Susan took some pictures of me after class so I am flushed and wearing pink.  Oh well, it is what it is) in Tadasana.  Classically, your feet are together and your weight is slightly focused on the heels.  Roll thighs in, gently tilt front of pelvis up.  Sternum up but restrain ribs so they don’t pop forward. Shoulders roll back, arms are by your side with fingers actively pointing down and your head is neutral.  There are a lot of instructions to work on.  When you get it right, it feels as though you are weightless and could stand for a long time.  One really good article is “Surreptitious Subway Yoga” , May 30, from “Daily Cup of Yoga”.  You can find that on my Blogroll in the right-hand column.

Tadasana is one of the most basic poses and is used as a neutral position in between a series of standing poses.  When in doubt, Tadasana!