Tadasana is a foundational posture for all standing asanas. The Sanskrit tada translates to mountain and, as with many yogic postures, this name rings true to its essence. In Tadasana we stand with our feet hips distance apart, finding a micro bend in the knees and a slight engagement of the core. The hips are centered over the knees and the shoulders are rolled back, allowing the heart to open. The crown of the head is balancing over the pelvis and the chin pulls back slightly.
This combination of stability and relative ease is the perfect example for other asanas: if you have trouble finding the empowering sensation of Tadasana in a more physically demanding asana, then you are probably overdoing it and would benefit from a modified version of the pose. While Tadasana is traditionally found at the beginning and end of a Surya Namaskar series, it can be taken at any point during your practice.
Tadasana is a particularly wonderful posture to find here in our very own Appalachian mountains because it provides an opportunity to connect with the ancient land through our bodies. The next time you find Tadasana in your practice, visualize the beautiful blue ridges that surround you and know that you hold the same boundless capacity for strength and serenity.
