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CLOSER LOOK
Mountain pose is an opportunity to find a stable, structurally
sound base. The structure and placement of your feet can
facilitate the foundation of that base.
Breathing and posture
When you slouch, you have limited
lung capacity, as well as restricted
movement of your diaphragm. From
a yoga perspective, when you aren’t
breathing well, your prana, or vital
energy, is not owing properly. From
a physiological perspective, when
your respiratory system is not ecient,
neither are your cardiovascular,
digestive, endocrine, or nervous
systems. So, stand up tall and let
your body function optimally.
MOUNTAIN Tadasana
Movement of
the diaphragm
is unrestricted
Limited lung
capacity
Full lung
capacity
Women
generally
have a
larger
Q-angle
16
12
Men and
children
generally
have a
smaller
Q-angle
Shoulder blades
rest on your
ribcage
Palms face
forward
Neck muscles
subtly engage
to stabilize
your head
Hamstrings
maintain muscle
tone for balance
Knee joint
structures are
evenly stacked
Feet at hip distance
Some styles of yoga bring
the feet together in Tadasana.
However, while many modern
asanas were developed for
preadolescent boys in India,
who have fairly narrow hips,
yoga is now predominantly
practiced by adult women,
whose hips are wider. For many
people, standing with the feet
at hip distance is more stable,
decreasing the Q-angle (shown
left) and reducing stress on
the knees.
Fingers are
relaxed and
passive
SLOUCHED
MALE
NEUTRAL
FEMALE
LATERAL VIEW
Restricted
diaphragm
US_088-089_Mountain_02.indd 88 06/11/2018 10:19