Tadasana (Mountain Pose): A Daily Practice
Finding Your Ground: Mastering Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
Welcome to my revamped website! To kick things off, let's explore a pose that's both fundamental and profound: Tadasana, also known as Mountain Pose.
Tadasana might seem simple – just standing there, right? But this seemingly basic pose is the foundation for all standing yoga postures. Mastering Tadasana builds a strong foundation for your entire practice, promoting proper alignment, stability, and ease in movement.
Here's why Tadasana deserves your attention:
The Root of All Standing Poses: Tadasana teaches you to root down through your feet and engage your core, creating a stable base for more advanced postures. Imagine it as the tree's trunk from which all other branches (poses) extend.
Body Awareness: As you refine your Tadasana, you become more aware of your body's subtle imbalances. This awareness translates into improved alignment throughout your entire practice.
A Gateway to Mindfulness: Holding Tadasana requires focus and present-moment awareness. It's a mini-meditation in itself, teaching you to find stillness and stability amidst the external world.
38 weeks! 5 days 'til the babies were born.
In 2012, my posture was challenged by a twin pregnancy. The increasing weight of the babies started causing me periods of intense middle-back pain. At 5 months pregnant I could barely walk up a ramp without struggling to breath. In this new body, Tadasana became the pose I practiced most, adjusting what I needed to stand up straight, support my spine, and decrease my back pain. I mindfully practiced Tadasana throughout the activities of my day.
Ready to Find Your Mountain?
Here are some key points to remember when practicing Tadasana:
Feet: Stand hip-width apart, pressing down evenly through all four corners of your feet.
Legs: Engage your quadriceps (front thighs) and lift your kneecaps slightly.
Spine: Lengthen your spine, drawing your shoulders down and back. Maintain a gentle curve in your lower back.
Arms: Relax your arms by your sides.
Breath: Breathe deeply and evenly, feeling your breath move through your torso.
Someone once told me about a twin mom who practiced intense vinyasa classes until two days before she gave birth. Not me! I prioritized rest and good posture.
Tadasana was different after my kids were born. My abdominal musculature was slack, and I had new physical demands: carrying babies and gear, lots of squatting up and down to pick them up, and manuevering in and out of car seats.
Practice Makes Perfect
Don't be discouraged if mastering Tadasana takes time. Like any skill, it requires consistent practice. Even holding the pose for short periods can significantly benefit your overall yoga journey.
So, take a deep breath, notice the connection between the earth and your feet, and let Tadasana be the foundation for a strong and mindful yoga practice!
