Yoga Shanti, Focus of the Month - Yogic & Buddhist Philosophy
'Tadasana' (Mountain Pose) by Heidi Fokine
April 2009
"it is through the body that you realize you are a spark of divinity" - BKS Iyengar
Tadasana, mountain pose, the primary standing posture. Stand tall, legs together, spine erect, arms at your sides. That's it. Tadasana may not seem super challenging, but understanding its essence is vital to mastering other poses. In this foundation posture we aim to cultivate steadiness within ourselves and in relation to the world around us.
Steadiness in the body/mind is about right relationship, not necessarily about gaining control. Stand tall and you will feel the constant shift of weight that is balance. From grounded legs there is a rebound of energy upwards, giving lift to the spine and chest. In the simplicity of this pose we can observe the movement of energy, or prana, inherent in steadiness...in other words, be present and go with the flow.
In the mountain of tadasana the movement of prana gives us a sense of spaciousness and well being. It’s within this sense of well being that the alchemical shift of awareness occurs, the shift from experiencing ourselves as separate from the universe, to being OF it. Soul connection is at the center of every asana. Why not check it out first with two feet on the ground.
This time of year is a great time to get back to basics. Perhaps organize some part of your life that has fallen into disarray, or do a dietary cleanse and most definitely honor your yoga practice by checking in. Much of the reason why we do hatha yoga is to purify and tone our vehicles to accept a higher current of energy, ultimately so that we can sit in meditation and vibe with the light.
As the days grow longer, the outer world can reflect our inner world: stay steady, grounded, feel the earth energy awakening and be the light.
Chant of the month:
om bhur bhuva svah (earth, midworld and heaven)
tat savitur varenyam (let us meditate on the most)
bhargo devasya dhimahi (excellent light of the divine)
dhiyo yo nah pracodayat (sun that it may illuminate our minds)
Visit Heidi's website at heidifokineyoga.com