Tadasana

Popularly known as the mountain pose, tadasana is a basic standing pose, which can be done by anyone. Many modifications can be added to this pose to increase complexity and benefits. Tadasana is often the beginning pose suggested in doing various standing postures.

Steps involved in doing tadasana.

1. Stand erect with toes touching each other and heels slightly apart.
2. Place your hands on the sides, palms touching the sides of your thigh.
3. Maintain your balance and focus in front and straight ahead.
4. Now try to sense a feeling of being balanced without reeling.

This is the basic pose. While it looks rather simple to perform, in fact, it is a difficult pose that requires considerable control and balance. Further, variations can be added to the tadasana yoga pose in order to increase its benefits and improve flexibility. Many do this pose by adding the following steps: Do step 1 of Tadasana. Bring your hands in front of you, palms facing each other. Then raise them above your head, palms now touching. Slowly lift your heels and stretch as high as you can, keeping your spine erect. Maintain this position for 30 seconds to a minute or more. Gradually return back to the original position while bring hands down to the sides. Synchronizing your breath along with the movements of the pose is extremely important. In fact, it is the synchrony of the breath with the movements of the arms that allows for maximum benefits.

For those who have problems balancing, the feet can be placed apart by 3 to 5 inches for greater balance. Another modification that can be added to maximize stretching capacity is as follows: Interlace the fingers in step 3, and then, in that locked position, outturn the palms and stretch the hands above your head. This helps in improving the stretch as you can use the support of your locked fingers to force a higher stretch.

Benefits of tadasana pose. Tadasana strengthens the leg muscles, in particular the calf muscles. It improves spine flexibility and reduces sciatica and flat feet. It is advised for those who want to increase their height and is great for improving posture. It is also beneficial in strengthening abdominal and back muscles.  Another unusual benefit of this posture is that it increase cavities in the body and provides for more room for the organs. This improves organ function and overall health of a person.