Standing on My Own Two Feet - The Mountain Pose

If you have practised this pose, you know there is more to standing than meets the eye – toes spread, firm thigh muscles drawn inwards, kneecaps lifted, tail bone lengthened, pubis tilted towards navel, shoulder blades pressed together, then widened, sternum lifted, chest open, neck lengthened, chin parallel to the floor, tongue relaxed and  remember to take deep breaths. Rather more complicated than the head stand when you come to look at it!

I have known this posture for years – one of many asanas on the list, easily outranked by more interestingly looking ones. A week ago I have decided to give it a chance. I found out I prefer the feet apart version for its stability and feeling of strength.

Some of my thigh muscles felt a little stiff for a couple of days. Having got past that, I started to notice my core is feeling a little stronger - it seems a little easier to maintain a good posture while standing, walking and sitting. I found myself pulling my shoulders back and downwards when walking - the memory of tadasana echoing outside my yoga sessions. Which could help me a little with my sitting posture too - that bad habit of slouching and tensing my shoulders when sitting at my desk that I've been battling for years. Big hopes! Tadasana has joined my list of must-do poses and I will be back with an update on the sitting posture problem in a couple of months time.