Alignment Tips for Space & Freedom: Part (1) Tadasana

Our very own Doctor Yogi, Andrew McGonigle, has filmed a series of short asana tutorials focusing in on the alignment of each posture and why this is important.

Andrew McGonigle photographed by Karen Yeomans

If you’ve ever wondered how to get your postures perfected, Doctor Yogi is here to help!  Let’s explore the reasons why focusing on healthy alignment is so important and discover Andrew’s tips for getting there.

Good alignment creates a sense of space and freedom in our body and mind

When we become used to healthy alignment we create more space within our joints, we allow tension in our muscles to release and we allow ourselves to let go from a place of holding. We create more space to breathe and find a deeper connection to our breath. We allow blood and energy to flow through our body with greater ease. We allow our minds to settle into our body, finding stillness and a sense of grounding.

Tadasana

The first posture we explore in the asana tutorials is Tadasana, Mountain pose. At first glance Tadasana looks like we are just in a relaxed standing position but in fact every part of our body is active in this posture and there are lots of subtle alignment cues.

Each joint is stacked to create the ideal way to stand to create healthy joints. With trauma, injury, stress and bad postural habits our bodies are constantly taken out of alignment.  Finding our Tadasana can be quite difficult or uncomfortable for the body. But with lots of yoga Tadasana can begin to feel great, creating a sense of space, grounding and stillness.

I like to apply the alignment principles in Tadasana to each posture I explore in my practice. My teacher, Kristin Campbell, calls Mountain pose the blueprint for all other postures. I really hope that you enjoy the tutorial!

>>Click Here to watch Andrew’s Tadasana Tutorial>>

This post was written by Andrew McGonigle, a yoga teacher, massage therapist and anatomy teacher with a background in western medicine. Based in London, Andrew has been practicing yoga and meditation for 12 years and teaching since 2009. Teaching exclusively at triyoga, Andrew’s classes are open to all levels and encourage students to develop awareness of patterns of tension in their bodies with a goal to release stress. Andrew teaches anatomy and physiology on many different Yoga Teacher Training courses in London and internationally. Find Doctor Yogi on Facebook.