Yoga Standing Poses

The standing poses are some of the most efficient poses in yoga.  They stretch the muscles and have noticeable effects on the accuracy and response of the nervous system.  Most standing poses improve the asanas and offer an increased chance of mastering physical and mental equilibrium.  In this article the two most important standing poses, the Mountain pose and the Triangle pose will be discussed. 

The mountain pose or the Tadasana was named for several attributes that share the symbols of the mountain.  The pose benefits from a high level of relaxed strength and a feeling of invulnerability.  Like a mountain the practitioner will be surrounded by stillness and will feel a pronounced sensation of balance.   The clarity and vision offered by this pose enable the practitioner to travel deeper into his inner feelings and connect with his inner self on a profound level.

This pose is achieved by keeping the heels slightly apart and the toes parallel.  Rock back and forth on the toes and gradually come to a complete stop.  Lift the ankles to consolidate the pose while tightening the leg muscles.  Push the tailbone towards the floor while lifting the pelvic area towards the navel.  The arms should be hanging near the body while pressing the shoulder blades backwards.

The obvious benefits of the mountain pose made it stand at the basis of many other poses.  Tadasana implies that the practitioner has to learn the meaning of balance and stillness before moving further.  The mountain pose is one of the best ways to connect with inner feelings while learning the subtle ways of yoga because of this.  The energy channels of this pose cover the entire body following the spine, from the back of the neck and towards the legs.

The next standing pose, the Triangle pose, or the Trikonasana.  This pose is relatively easy and has a good stretching effect on the spine, giving it a lateral motion that complements the stretching of the forward poses.  It is vital to keep the knees straight while performing this pose because it will allow the movements to be fluent and to stretch all the targeted muscles and organs.  Bending to the left and right must be done gradually and fluently.  This pose is good for preparing the next levels of posture which are more advanced and difficult.  The stimulation of the spinal nerves will improve overall body flexibility.

To enjoy the full benefit of this pose position the body correctly by spreading the feet apart and pointing the toes.  Alternate the pointing motion from the left foot to the right while keeping a constant rhythm and perfect balance.  After the arms are stretched parallel to the ground inhale deeply, allowing the energy to strengthen the movements.  While exhaling slightly bend to the left or right while sliding the hand down to the foot.  This motion requires much lower back flexibility so it is important to warm up before attempting this pose.  Practitioners who perform this pose often notice the feeling of a lighter body, combined with a sensation of mild heat in the stretched muscles.