admin The “easier” an asana looks and the less “cool” it appears in Instagram photos, the greater the likelihood it is avoided in practice. A posture like Mountain Pose, or Tadasana, seems easy and attainable for all levels of yogis, so it can be easy to hit autopilot on Mountain Pose during asana practice.
Mountain Pose, however, is an asana that can be used at all levels of practice. It has numerous physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. The benefits it offers to the mind, the body, and the soul are why it is included in the Sun Salutation A’s 12 traditional power postures.
How-To
Lift the inner ankles to strengthen the inner arches and lift the thighs toward the hips. Allow the belly to soften and lengthen your spine, lifting the crown of your head towards the sky. As you breathe, open your collarbones, shoulder together, and spine. Your heart will shine brighter as the air passes.
Mountain Pose has many variations, but my favorite is to stand anatomically and with the palms facing the front. This helps open the heart while sending energy down the arms that reach toward the earth.
As with all asanas, yogis can enhance the benefits of this pose by focusing on energy flow and using mantras.
Physical Benefits
Mountain Pose has many benefits, including strengthening your legs, knees, and ankles. Stillness allows the body to rest and digest. Mountain Pose engages your body’s inner fire and helps you to release depression and dreariness.
It is also a great cardiovascular exercise to be able to stand up tall and strong like a mountain.
Mental Benefits
Mountain Pose has many benefits for the mind, including a greater awareness of body and mind connection. Standing tall and rooted is a powerful asana, but opening the collarbones increases vulnerability. This can be a great way to foster gratitude and motivation.
Tadasana reduces anxiety by increasing the focus on breathing control. As you develop a more grounded and secure practice, it also allows the body to move with more freedom. Mountain Pose helps us to grow our senses over time so that we can notice things without judgment.
Spiritual Benefits
Mountain Pose has many spiritual benefits. It cultivates prana (the life force of the human body obtained from air), the vitality that is attained by the body.
Prana, or the vital force of life, is combined with Yama (the practice of control and mastery), which is the pranayama. When we breathe in, we increase prana. Pranayamas, or controlled breathing exercises, are purifying exercises. Here is a short description of the five functions or movements of prana, also known as winds or vagus. This will help you to get the most out of Mountain Pose.
The energizing power of Prana Vayu focuses on the inward and downward movement, which is linked to your head, lungs, and heart. It can manifest as fear, anger, anxiety, and other negative emotions when it’s imbalanced.
Udana Vayu controls the growth and respiratory functions with a focus on upward energy movement. It is located at the head, throat, and diaphragm.
Vyana Vayu refers to the movement of energy in a circular pattern throughout the body. It is located in the heart and the lungs.
Samana Vayu is a movement of energy towards the center of the human body in a churning action. It is related to digestion.
The last Apana Vayu is the most important. It is associated with energy that is directed downwards and outwards, elimination, and is located at the abdomen and pelvic zone.
How to Improve Your Mountain Pose
You can focus on what to let go and what to notice in Mountain Pose instead of what you could add.
Allow the energy to flow in Mountain Pose, and let that guide your practice. You will notice the power of prana increasing with every intentional breath.
Don’t flow mindlessly through Tadasana the next time that you practice yoga. Focus on the benefits of practicing this pose mindfully.
How has Mountain Pose benefited your practice? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
