Yoga Exercises - Standing Poses

Standing Poses provide enough knowledge on the universal principles of alignment which is very essential in performing all poses. One good example of Standing Pose is the Mountain Pose (Tadasana). It is considered as the origin of all other Yoga Poses. In general, Standing Poses are the foundation of many poses.

Standing Poses are very beneficial. They increase strength and flexibility, help you become more aware of your posture, invigorate your whole body. Take a look at the different Standing Poses and learn how they are practiced:

Mountain Pose (Tadasana) The Mountain Yoga Pose promotes the experience of stillness, strength, relaxed power, and immovable stability associated with mountains. This Yoga posture, and coming back to this stillness after other poses, is one of the ways of becoming acquainted with stillness. Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) In Hindu art, the triangle is a potent symbol for the divine principle, and it is frequently found in the yantras and mandalas used for meditation. The Trikonasana or Triangle Pose concludes the Yoga Postures in our basic session. Revolved Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana) This asana is a contrary twisted Trikonasana and is a good exercise to follow the Trikonasana. The exercise is good for your sense of coordination and sense of balance. You need a lot of concentration and precision to be able to carry it out correctly. Crescent Moon Pose The Crescent Moon Pose stretches and strengthens the arms and legs, increases stamina, improves balance and concentration, and can also relieve backaches. If you are suffering from diarrhea, high blood pressure or neck problems, you should take extra caution practicing this pose. Warrior Pose I (Virabhadrasana I) The Warrior Pose I or Virabhadrasana I improves balance and agility and strengthens your legs, back, and arms. It also targets the chest, shoulders, neck, and abdominal area. Learn how to do the Warrior Pose I in this section. Warrior Pose II (Virabhadrasana II) This posture strengthens your legs, back, shoulders, and arms, building stamina. It opens your hips and chest, and improves balance. It is called the Warrior in reference to the fierce warrior, an incarnation of Shiva. Learn how to do the second Warrior Pose in this section. Warrior Pose III (Virabhadrasana III) Warrior Pose III is the third variation of Virabhadrasana. This pose helps improve balance and stability while strengthening your ankles and legs. As with all other poses, make sure to perform it correctly to achieve optimum results. Learn how to do the Warrior Pose III in this section. Wide-legged Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana) This is a good stretching exercise that reduces the stiffness, tiredness and tension in the muscles in your hind legs. At the same time, the muscles of the back and the neck are thoroughly stretched and you learn to deal with possible stretching aches. Chair Pose I (Utkatasana I) A strong straight lower back is the foundation of every correct position. In doing the Chair Pose, you strengthen the lower back and the legs and by doing so, you create more space in the chest and belly. Check out this section and learn how it is done. Chair Pose II (Utkatasana II) Unlike in the Utkatasana I, the Chair Pose II involves bending the upper body from the hip until it becomes parallel to the floor. Learn how to perform the Chair Pose II in this section. You can use our animation as your guide as well as our easy-to-understand steps. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) Doing a Standing Forward Bend can completely stretch your upper and lower back as well as your calf muscles and legs. In addition, it can help increase the flow of brain in the brain. Know more about Standing Forward Bend in this section. Downward Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana) The Downward Facing Dog Pose builds up strength in the upper arms and rejuvenates the entire body. Though it is an exercise in itself, this pose is often used in between other exercises. Check out this section and learn how a Downward Facing Dog Pose is done. Revolved Side Angle Pose (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana) This Standing Pose helps enhance flexibility and alignment of your spinal column, improve digestion and balance, and strengthen legs and knees. In this section, learn how Revolved Side Angle Pose (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana) is performed. Hands to Feet (Pada Hastasana) The Hands to Feet Pose or Pada Hastasana gives many of the same benefits as the Forward Bend - trimming the waist, restoring elasticity to the spine, and stretching the ligaments of the legs, especially the hamstrings. Learn how to do the Hands to Feet Pose in this section. Standing Side Stretch Pose This side stretch will increase the flexibility of your spine, arms, and rib cage as it stimulates the liver, kidney, and spleen functions. Furthermore, the Yoga Pose will also help realign your spinal column and will aid the lungs to take in more oxygen. Learn how to perform this pose in this section. Stand Spread Leg Forward Fold Practicing the Standing Spread Leg Forward Fold can strengthen and stretch your inner and back legs and your spine. People with lower back problems should avoid doing the full forward bend. For beginners, you may use props like a folding chair to support your forearms. Tree Pose (Vrksasana) The Tree Pose helps strengthen your thighs, calves, ankles and back. It can also increase the flexibility of your hips and groin. Your balance and concentration can also be improved with constant practice. This Yoga Pose is recommended for people who have sciatica and flat feet. Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) The Half Moon Pose (Ardha Chandrasana) is a Standing Pose that targets the legs, buttocks, and hips, and improves balance and strength. Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) The Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar is a Yoga Pose which limbers up the whole body in preparation for the Yoga Asanas. It is a graceful sequence of twelve Yoga positions performed as one continuous exercise. Learn how to practice Sun Salutation in this section.

Practice Standing Poses to improve balance and posture. Keep in mind, though, that Yoga is not a competitive activity. Know your limits and do not push yourself. Otherwise, you will not be able to enjoy doing the poses, or worse, you may hurt yourself. Keep on practicing and have fun!