Standing Asanas

Fundamental principles.

The Standing Posts are big, whole body poses that teach you to move in an even, integrated way. They make the finer, more contortionistic poses possible. He sure to spend plenty of time with these poses, even as you become more advanced, but especially as a beginner, because they build the strength and endurance necessary to support the increased flexibility that will accrue over time through practice. The Standing Postures help create a balance between strength and flexibility throughout the body by developing both simultaneously, not one at the expense of the other. They especially increase strength, power, and mobility in the feet, legs, and hips, which then become a firm base of support for your spine and torso in other poses. Feet, knees, legs, hips, spine, torso, abdomen, chest, neck, shoulders, arms, and hands, even the fingers and toes, all gain strength and become more elastic with these poses - free of tension, aches, and pains. And because they are somewhat strenuous, they improve blood circulation, stimulate digestion and elimination, build heat for other poses, expulse dullness and depression, and leave you feeling invigorated, refreshed, and light. All of this helps bring the subtle energies of the body into harmonization. Daily life will then seem and be easier. You won't tire as easily. You'll have more energy and enthusiasm and be more interested in what's going on.

Standing Postures

Adho Mukha Svanasana	(AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna)	(Downward-Facing Dog)	adho = downward, mukha = face, svana = dog
Ardha Chandrasana	(are-dah chan-DRAHS-anna)	(Half Moon Pose)	ardha = half, candra = glittering, shining, having the brilliancy or hue of light (said of the gods);usually translated as “moon” ,
Garudasana	(gah-rue-DAHS-anna)	(Eagle Pose)	Garuda = the mythic "king of the birds," the vehicle of Vishnu. The word is usually rendered into English as "eagle," though according to one dictionary the name literally means "devourer," because Garuda was originally identified with the "all-consuming fire of the sun’s rays.", ,
Natarajasana	(not-ah-raj-AHS-anna)	(Lord of the Dance Pose)	nata = actor, dancer, mime, raja = king,
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana	(par-ee-vrt-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna)	(Revolved Side Angle Pose)	parivrtta = to turn around, revolve, parsva = side, flank, kona = angle
Parivrtta Trikonasana	(par-ee-vrit-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna)	(Revolved Triangle Pose)	parivrtta = to turn around, revolve, trikona = three angle or triangle,
Prasarita Padottanasana	(pra-sa-REE-tah pah-doh-tahn-AHS-anna)	(Wide-Legged Forward Bend)	prasarita = stretched out, expanded, spread, with outstretched limbs, pada = foot, ut = intense  tan = to stretch or extend (compare the Latin verb tendere, "to stretch or extend")
Tadasana	(tah-DAHS-anna)	(Mountain Pose)	tada = mountain, ,
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana	(ERD-vah MOO-kah shvon-AHS-anna)	(Upward-Facing Dog)	urdhva mukha = face upward, svana = dog,
Utkatasana	(OOT-kah-TAHS-anna)	(Chair Pose)	utkata = powerful, fierce, ,
Uttanasana	(OOT-tan-AHS-ahna)	(Standing Forward Bend)	ut = intense, tan = to stretch or extend, ,
Utthita Parsvakonasana	(oo-TEE-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna)	(Extended Side Angle Pose)	utthita = extended, parsva = side, flank, kona = angle
Utthita Trikonasana	(oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna)	(Extended Triangle Pose)	utthita = extended, trikona = three angle or triangle,
Virabhadrasana II	(veer-ah-bah-DRAHS-anna)	(Warrior II Pose)	Virabhadra = the name of a fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva, described as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, wielding a thousand clubs, and wearing a tiger's skin, ,
Virabhadrasana III	(veer-ah-bah-DRAHS-anna)	(Warrior III Pose)	Virabhadra = the name of a fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva, described as having a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, and a thousand feet, wielding a thousand clubs, and wearing a tiger's skin, ,
Vrksasana	(vrik-SHAHS-anna)	(Tree Pose)	vrksa = tree, ,

About Article Contributor - Rod Hutchings

Rod has undertaken teacher training at the Australian Institute of Yoga Therapy (CAE) and is a member of the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia (YTAA). Rod Hutchings offers both corporate  and private yoga lessons throughout Melbourne, Victoria.  Rod’s day job is internet development/consulting and web hosting work.  Rod is keen to help other Yoga teachers with limited budgets share their story/ promote their teaching online.