|
Yoga Standing
Poses
Some of the most efficient poses are the standing positions.
They offer excellent stretching of the muscles and they have
noticeable effects on the promptness and accuracy of the
nervous system. Most standing poses manage to improve the
asanas and they offer you an increased chance of mastering
equilibrium, both physical and mental. In the following
paragraphs we will have a look at two of the most important
standing poses, the Mountain pose and the Triangle pose.
The mountain pose (known as the Tadasana) got its name from
several defining attributes that share the symbols of the
mountain. The pose benefits from a high level of relaxed
strength and a feeling of invulnerability. Much like a
mountain, the person practicing this pose will be surrounded by
stillness and will feel a pronounced sensation of balance. The
clarity and profound vision offered by this pose enable you to
go deeper in your inner feelings and connect with your inner
self on a very profound level.
The mountain pose is achieved by keeping the heels slightly
apart, so that toes are parallel. Perform a back and forth
rocking motion on your toes and gradually come to a complete
stop. Lift the ankles in order to consolidate the pose while
also tightening the leg muscles. Push your tailbone towards the
floor while lifting your pelvic area towards the navel. Your
arms should be hanging near your body while you are pressing
your shoulder blades backwards.
The obvious positive effects of the mountain pose made it stand
at the basis of many other poses. Tadasana implies that the
practicing yogi has to learn the meaning of balance and
stillness before moving further. For this reason, the mountain
pose is one of the best ways to connect with your inner
feelings while learning the subtle ways of yoga. The energy
channels of the mountain pose traverse your entire body,
following the spine, from the back of the neck and down towards
the legs.
The next important standing pose is the Triangle pose, or the
Trikonasana. This relatively easy pose has a good stretching
effect on the spine, giving it a good lateral motion that
complements the stretching of other forward poses. The
straightness of the knees is vital while performing this pose,
as this will allow your movements to be fluent and to stretch
all the targeted muscles and organs. Bending to the left and
right should be done gradually and fluently. This is one of the
yoga poses that is good for preparing the next levels of
postures, which are more advanced and harder to accomplish. The
stimulation of the spinal nerves is also beneficial and it
improves overall body flexibility.
In order to enjoy the full benefit of the triangle pose you
have to position your body correctly. Your feet should be
spread apart while you are pointing to your toes. Try to
alternate the pointing motion from your left foot to your right
one while keeping a constant rhythm and perfect balance. After
you stretch your arms parallel to the ground you should inhale
deeply, allowing the energy to strengthen your movements. While
exhaling aim to perform a slight bend to either left or right
while sliding your hand down your foot. This motion requires a
lot of flexibility in the lower back muscles area, so a good
warm up session is absolutely necessary before attempting the
triangle. Yogis who try this pose often notice the feeling of a
lighter body, combined with a sensation of mild heat in the
stretched muscles.
|