Standing poses are wonderful for building balance, leg strength and core stability. They are
practice to build tapas, or perseverance in the body.
ARDHA CHANDRASANA (Half Moon Pose)
- Begin in Uttanasana with a block in front of the pinkie
toe of the left foot
- Place left hand on block and right hand on hip
- Inhale the left leg up and open hips, belly and chest to
the right
- Raise right arm towards ceiling
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release into Uttanasana,
change sides
- Therapeutics: Good for sciatica and strengthening the
legs, hips and lower back, improves balance
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana I & II, Adho Mukha Svanasana, Trikonasana
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GARUDASANA (Eagle Pose)
- Begin in Tadasana
- Bend both knees and cross right leg over left (place right
foot on block if needed, or bring right foot behind left
ankle)
- Open arms wide and cross left elbow over right, bend
elbows and intertwine forrearms with either the backs of
the hands or palms of the hands together
- Lift elbows away from chest and release shoulders as you
sit into the pose
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release and change sides
- Therapeutics: Stretches shoulders, lower back and hips,
strengthens legs
- Preparation: Utkatasana
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PARIGHASANA (Gate Pose)
- Begin kneeling
- Straighten left leg and press toes towards floor to
prevent hyperextension of knee
- Exhale and side bend over left leg bringing left hand to
block behind knee or to floor
- Reach right arm overhead and keep tail bone long
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release and change sided
- Therapeutics: Stretches side body, armpits and lower
waist
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana I & II
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PARSVA KONASANA (Side Angle Pose)
- Stand with feet wide apart
- Turn right foot in 30 degrees and left foot out 90
degrees
- Inhale arms out from shoulders
- Exhale and bend left knee
- Bring left elbow to left knee or left hand to a block
behind the left foot
- Raise right arm overhead and stretch entire right side
of body
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release and change sides
- Therapeutics: Opens side body, strengthens legs
- Preparation: Virabhadrasana II
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TADASANA (Mountain Pose)
- Stand with feet hips width apart (or toes together, heels
slightly separated)
- Engage the muscles of the legs towards the bones
- Draw the belly in and release the tail bone
- Lift the chest and draw the shoulder blades down
- Press the crown of the head towards the ceiling
- Hold 10-20 breaths
- Therapeutics: Grounds the body and prepares for all
standing poses, improves balance
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TRIKONASANA (Triangle Pose)
- Stand with feet wide apart
- Turn right foot in 30 degrees and left foot out 90
degrees
- Inhale arms out from shoulders
- Exhale and cock hips to the right
- Reach left arm parallel to floor to lengthen the left
waist and bring left hand on block
- Rotate the chest towards the right and reach right arm
towards ceiling
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release and change sides
- Therapeutics: Opens side body, strengthens legs,
eases pain in the lower back
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana I & II, Adho Mukha Svanasana
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UTKATASANA (Chair Pose)
- Begin in Tadasana
- Bend both knees and lower pelvis, grounding thighs
- Inhale arms either parallel to floor or overhead and lean
torso forward from hips
- Hold 5-10 breaths and release
- Therapeutics: Strengthens legs, core and lower back
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana, Thread the Needle, Tadasana
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UTTHITA PADANGUSTHASANA (Extended Big Toe Pose)
- Begin in Tadasana
- Lift right foot and either hold foot with right hand or
use strap
- Keep right hip level with left hip and ground left
standing leg
- Extend left arm out to side or over head
- Engage belly and lengthen tail
- For a fully supported version, prop foot on a chair at
the wall as shown here
- Therapeutics: Strengthens legs and core, opens hips
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana I & II, Trikonasana
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VIRABHADRASANA I (Warrior I)
- Turn right foot in 60 degrees and left foot out 90
degrees
- Turn hips towards front foot and balance weight on
both feet
- Inhale arms overhead
- Exhale and bend left knee
- Draw belly up and release tail bone towards floor
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release and change sides
- Therapeutics: Opens front body and psoas,strengthens
legs, improves balance
- Preparation: Virabhadrasana II, Bhujangasana
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VIRABHADRASANA II (Warrior II)
- Stand with feet wide apart
- Turn right foot in 30 degrees and left foot out 90
degrees
- Inhale arms out from shoulders
- Exhale and bend left knee
- Keep torso upright and do not lean over bent leg
- Gaze towards left hand
- Hold 5-10 breaths then release and change sides
- Therapeutics: Strengthens legs and increases balance
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana I & II
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VRKSASANA (Tree Pose)
- Stand with feet hips-width apart
- Engage legs and bear weight on right leg only
- Draw left foot onto calf or inner thigh (do not press on
side of knee)
- Press foot against leg and leg against foot
- Draw belly in and release tail bone towards floor
- Inhale and draw arms overhead without gripping
shoulders
- Hold as long as you can balance with comfort, release
and change sides
- Therapeutics: Mental focus and balance, leg strength,
stretches inner thighs
- Preparation: Supta Padangusthasana I & II, Virabhadrasana II
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