Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Mountain Pose is the start position for many standing poses and salutations like the Sun Salutation. Like Staff pose, it looks Mountain pose is a simple, straight forward pose. Mountain pose is about balance and focus. Place more weight on leg verses the other and you can loose your balance and topple over. The legs and spine are straight. The knees should not be bent. The arms are straight, not bent at the elbow or wrist. The head and neck are straight, not tilted to one side or front to back. While Mountain pose has a difficulty level of 1 out of 10, there is more to the pose than meets the eye.

English Name: Mountain

Sanskrit Name: Tadasana

Difficulty Level: 1

Start Position: Standing Erect

Instructions:

Step 1. Stand with feet hip-width apart. Relax your shoulders and relax your arms along side your body.

Physical Benefits

• Aligns spine
• Opens the chest
• Improves posture
• Strengthens ankles
• Strengthens knees
• Strengthens thighs
• Strengthens arches

Mental Benefits

• Improved focus
• Reduces mild anxiety

Contraindications

• Wrist injury
• Knee or ankle pain