The Many Benefits Of Tadasana

“The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there” Robert M. Pirsig

This quote relates so much to how I feel about Tadasana, the Mountain Pose. Standing in Tadasana gives me a real sense of calm. As my feet sink into my mat, I feel grounded and at peace, just as I would if I were standing at the top of a mountain …

Tadasana has been quoted as being the ‘mother’ of all asanas as it is one of the very first poses you’ll learn in yoga and is the foundation for a variety of yoga postures.

As well as cultivating a sense of calm and stillness Tadasana has many other benefits. It improves posture and stability and strengthens our thighs, knees, ankles and feet and also helps firm our abdomen and buttocks. Tadasana has also been known to help alleviate sciatic pain and reduce flat feet.

When standing in Mountain Pose its important that your body weight is evenly distributed across the soles of both feet. This can be easier said than done; as many of us don’t realize that when we’re standing still we often put more weight on one side of the body. Even distribution of weight is crucial to this pose.

Mountain Pose

• Stand with your feet together, firmly and evenly on the ground.
• Relax your shoulders and lengthen your neck. Let your arms hang by your sides, palms facing outwards and look straight ahead.
• Take a deep breath and raise your arms above your head with your palms facing each other and your fingertips pointing to the ceiling.
• If it feels comfortable tilt your head back slightly and gaze up to the ceiling.
• If you feel any pain in your neck keep your gaze in front of you so you’re looking straight ahead.
• Hold and breathe normally.