Mountain Pose (Tadasana) demonstrated
Category
Standing
Level
beginner
Hold
5-10 breaths
Type
Asana
Breath
Slow, even breaths in and out through the nose.

Mountain Pose

Tadasana — "mountain posture"

Also known as: Samasthiti

The baseline of every standing pose: stand tall, weight even, whole body quietly at work. Mountain looks like nothing and teaches everything about posture.

Step by step

  1. 1Stand with your big toes touching, heels slightly apart, arms at your sides.
  2. 2Spread your toes and press evenly through all four corners of each foot.
  3. 3Lift your kneecaps gently and lengthen your tailbone toward the floor.
  4. 4Draw your lower ribs in, broaden your collarbones, and relax your shoulders down.
  5. 5Let your arms hang with palms facing forward, fingers reaching.
  6. 6Lengthen through the crown of your head and breathe steadily.

Benefits

  • Improves posture and body awareness
  • Strengthens thighs, knees, and ankles
  • Steadies the breath and attention
  • Creates a reference point for every other standing pose

Make it yours

  • · Stand with feet hip-width apart for easier balance.
  • · Practice with your back against a wall to feel alignment.

Take care

  • Standing for long periods may not suit those with low blood pressure or dizziness — practice near a wall.

This is general practice guidance, not medical advice. If something hurts, ease out of it.

Props that help here

  • Manduka PRO The buy-it-once option — dense, stable, famously durable. Heavy, so it lives at home, which is where practice happens anyway. find one
  • Liforme Original The grippiest mat we've used, with alignment markers that genuinely help beginners place hands and feet. Priciest of the three. find one

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