Tadasana In Each Asana

Most of us tend to get sloppy when doing Tadasana (Mountain pose) so lets take a couple minutes to get reacquainted with this foundational pose.

To come into Tadasana we stand with our feet together (or just slightly apart if that’s more appropriate for you body). Press down through all four corners of the feet trying to disperse the weight evenly. Firm in the side arches.

Drop the tailbone slightly towards the floor and release the inner thighs to the wall behind your to keep from clenching the buttocks. Gently firm in the belly and side hips.

Shoulderheads are back, keeping broad across your collarbones, and shoulderblades release down your back.

Lastly lengthen up through the crown of your head.

If you’re doing Tadasana correctly, your entire body is working to keep you in this perfect alignment. Too often we don’t use our muscles to keep us upright but rather slouch and hang in our joints causing pain and injury over time.

Earlier I called Tadasana a “Foundational Pose”. This is because the actions we perform when in Tadasana can be found in almost all other Asanas (postures).

Lets take a moment to consider Plank or Chaturanga Dandasana. While the body is parallel to the earth rather than perpendicular you can still find Tadasana in this asana. Tailbone is lengthened down towards the heels, inner thighs lift up towards the ceiling, belly and side hips are gently firmed in, collarbones are broad, shoulderblades pull away from the ears, and the entire body is lengthening (pressing out through the heels and crown of the head).

Next consider Virabhadrasana III (Warrior 3). Very similar.

My challenge to you: when you next practice yoga, be mindful and try to find Tadasana in as many asanas as possible.


Namaste.