Tadasana - Mountain Pose The Source Of knowledge for other Yoga Poses

Iyengar in his 75th birthday teachings mentioned fundamentals that stem from Tadasana (the Mountain Pose) and hinted at the ability to attain ultimate states in the Yoga poses. These were states of samadhi. In the practice of Yoga this is an experience where the practitioner becomes merged and absorbed in the essence of life.


Let us begin with the basics and then later approach the subject of illumination.

"One thousand things that apply to Tadasana apply to every other pose."

Tadasana shown above has many basic points that can be referenced in other yoga poses. These points originate from the toes and feet all the way to the top of the head.

Click on Tadasana Card to Print.

Begin At the Surface Of The Feet
The foundation of a tree is its roots therefore bring awareness to the feet first in this yoga pose. The same force should be present in both feet. Pelvic adjustments must be made to achieve this. Evenly distribute the weight over the feet. Always try to get more of the surface area of both feet and toes to touch the floor. The toes should be used to stabilize the body from forward motions. Sometimes the weight can fall on the outside or inside of the feet. Try to have the weight centered.

Breathing and the element of air cause the body and its earth to shift. The center of balance is shifted depending on how well we breathe. Master breathing and its effects so that the body remains in alignment.

Head and Neck
Make sure the head and neck are aligned well look at numbers six, seven eight, nine on the image above. Make sure that the neck is not tilted forward too much. Also be aware of the length along the sides of the neck. although this seems easy in the standing pose above you will find that one side becomes short often when the head turns and the neck is twisted.

Legs
Awareness of inner and outer lines of energy in the legs, length and force are found with careful analysis. This knowledge will be applied to other Yoga Poses. Let's Looks at a seated forward bend, a hip stretch and a back bend.



For including the fundamentals in the front leg we would have to consider the knee alignment over the foot in bent knee poses and how they correspond to the Mountain pose Tadasana.

It is also nice to let the knee go over the ankle a little to stretch the knee. If the knee is kept a little behind the ankle more energy will travel upwards.

Let us look at the effects of Tadasana (the mountain) on some simple and well known yoga poses. Triangle and Extended side angle.

Pelvic Alignment
Have the tailbone slightly tucked forward. Moving it forward too much will cause the legs to externally rotate. Make sure you have force moving forward but not more than is necessary.

Feet
It's hard to get the foot of the lagging leg (the leg that is behind you) flat on the floor in some of the standing poses. This becomes even more challenging when the legs are taken further apart. If we want to achieve a bent front knee at maybe 90 degrees then it is very hard to get the foot that is behind you flat. This is why many times easier poses are shown with the legs much closer. The yoga poses have better energy and it is easier to relax in them.

"The awareness is bound to the 5th element. This is the lightest of all the elements and is our tool, our insight, our reference and our guide."

It is quite challenging to simply stand. If we take away one of the 5 senses such as sight it becomes very challenging.

Entering Samadhi in the Yoga Poses
Learn a little about the higher aspects in the yoga poses.

Sun Salutations with Tadasana

Falling Warrior Salute

Crescent Moon Flow