Yoga BLOG

Die Berghaltung - Tadasana

The Mountain Pose - Upright Standing (Tadasana)

by Nick on Sep 02 2022
The Mountain Pose - Tadasana Tadasana is an asana in Hatha Yoga . Tada means "mountain," and asana is the posture, or "mountain pose." It's about finding inner peace, being as strong as a mountain, and standing firmly on both feet in life. The Mountain Pose encourages us to accept the circumstances that life presents us with. We should not indulge in daydreaming and take responsibility for ourselves. We should remain true to our moral principles, stand tall even in difficult times, and fulfill our daily tasks. We must be able to take responsibility for the consequences of our own actions. The mental attitude Mountain Pose influences our inner and spiritual attitude. If we absorb Mountain Pose through constant practice, no stormy everyday life can unsettle us. We stand strong as a mountain in the storms of our lives. We regenerate and defy the moods and whims of our environment. Through Tadasana, we experience the infinite dimensions of our body and soul. We recognize our spiritual attitude toward our own lives and the lives of those around us. Tadasana is a good starting point for many other asanas. The calm and stretched posture also benefits our internal organs. Breathing, digestion, and circulation function much more relaxed. How does Tadasana work? Balancing: The body's horizontal and vertical balance is adjusted, the foot and leg muscles are balanced, and the nervous system is calmed. Strengthening: The pelvis is relieved, the back muscles are strengthened, and posture is improved. Strengthening: Stress is reduced, self-confidence is increased and inner stability is strengthened. Calming: Breathing becomes calm and balanced, concentration is promoted, and spirituality is stimulated. Revitalizing: Body and mind are brought into harmony, we receive more energy. Tadasana – Instructions Stand upright, both feet firmly on the ground so you don't sway, but stand calmly and serenely. Your big toes are almost touching. Now briefly lift all your toes and then place them firmly on the floor. Feel the ground beneath your feet and distribute your weight evenly across your heel, midfoot, forefoot, and toes. Close your eyes and bend your legs slightly. Tilt your pelvis slightly forward, gently tighten your buttocks, and gently push them further forward. Briefly lift your shoulders and then let them fall back and down. Your spine should be in line with your neck. Even if your eyes are closed, look forward and keep your chin parallel to the floor. Now imagine that there is a string attached to the highest point of your head that is pulling you very gently upwards. Now feel your breath. Notice how it flows calmly and completely naturally. With every breath you take in energy from the sun, light and oxygen. With each exhalation, let go of any tension that is within you. Stay in this position for a few minutes, then open your eyes and breathe in and out calmly. Tadasana, the wonderful mountain pose, can be described as a position of complete concentration and calm. You become aware of the symbolic connection between heaven and earth and the flow of life. Through Tadasana you learn to be mindful of your soul and your body, because through mindfulness of yourself, self-healing powers can be awakened. Different variations Anyone who engages with yoga quickly realizes how diverse this teaching is. The various variations, such as the lunar and solar versions, have great potential to bring calm and peace into one's daily life. The Solar Variation is able to influence the will, activate personal energies and improve breathing. Our breathing is often neglected, which can lead to serious illnesses. That is why breathing exercises are particularly important and they promote both our health and our concentration. A little tip: When practicing yoga and Mountain Pose/Tadasana, sit quietly in your favorite spot, assume a comfortable and relaxed position, breathe deeply, and focus on your breathing. For example, you can imagine a yellow ball spinning clockwise; this will bring you peace and serenity. Your breathing will be balanced and in its natural rhythm. ©iStock.com/yunava1

The flank stretch - Yoga standing pose

by Nick on Jul 06 2016
The flank stretch - Yoga standing pose The technical terms for the flank stretch are Parshva uttanasana, Parshvottanasana or Utthita parshva konasana, where Parshva means "side" or "flank", Uttana means "intense stretch" and Asana means "resting posture". Parshva uttanasana stretches the pelvis and opens the abdominal area to give your body and mind freedom and lightness. In this asana, you learn, like in hardly any other exercise, to balance the elements and keep them in equilibrium. The effect Strengthening the spine and joints Elimination of lower back pain Strengthening the abdominal muscles Massage of the abdominal organs (spleen, liver, pancreas, ...) Removal of blockages in the abdominal cavity Improve blood flow to the neck and head Reduction of fat and cellulite on hips and legs Elimination of mood swings and heaviness of mind Calming the senses Help with migraines and insomnia The exercise Stand in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and place your hands behind your back in Namaste. Keep your hands tightly clasped and raise them as high as possible, so that the angle at the wrists is no less than 90 degrees. Press the edges of your hands firmly against your spine, and press your wrists firmly together. Next, widen your collarbones by rotating your upper arms outward, then lower your elbows and bring them closer together. Now spread your legs about one meter wide and point your feet straight forward with the outer edges. Turn your left foot inward 60 to 70 degrees and your right leg outward 90 degrees, so that your inner heels are in line. Now anchor your left foot in the outer edge with your inner ankle raised and your heel firmly in the floor, move the inner edge of your left leg back, rolling your left outer hip forward. While the outer edge of your right foot is lowered, use the resistance in the outer edge to bring your inner heel and toes firmly to the floor. The right groin and hip stretch back. Now your pelvis is parallel and, maintaining your balance, stretch your legs back, lower your tailbone and lift your abdominal wall, sternum and head. As you continue, keep your feet grounded, extend both legs back, and stretch your body with long sides and your navel over your right leg. Keep your sternum and chin lifted, your hands firmly pressed behind you, your collarbones wide, and your elbows up. In the final step, from grounded feet, extend both groins, thighs, knees, and shins back, while bringing your navel and sternum well above your leg. Lower your chin as low as possible onto your shin and rest your forehead on the shin. The implementation You start with 30 seconds per side and can stay in the pose for up to a minute or longer. It's important that you perform the exercise for the same amount of time on both sides each time. You end Parshva uttanasana by keeping your hands in Namaste and returning to Tadasana. Only then do you release your hands and remove them from your back. This asana places great demands on your sense of balance and coordination. Therefore, you should remain completely neutral in your senses. During the pose, relax the front part of your brain to maintain contact with your back leg and your pressed hands behind your back. Allow your breath to flow calmly. Flank stretching - tips for problems If you're having trouble getting into Parshva Uttanasana right away, you can practice it with a raised leg and a chair for your hands and arms. The raised leg allows you to straighten your leg more easily while keeping your belly relaxed. Raised arms help you develop a sense of the length of your sides. Image © fizkes / 123rf.com