Tadasana? Tadawha?

Translation from Sanskrit: Tada = mountain; Asana = seat, posture.

In this pose, we stand tall and strong, rooted through our feet and rising into the sky through our crown, like a mountain.

As in all yoga postures, the breath is vital.

I’ve written more here on how to breathe yogically.

Benefits

1. Improves posture
2. Relieves sciatica
3. Calms your mind

What to Watch Out For

Officially, take it easy in this pose if you’re prone to headaches, insomnia, or low blood pressure. Personally, I think the shoulder and neck release could help a headache, and the mind-calming nature could help insomnia. But always check with your doctor.

I like to think I’m immune to celebrity endorsement. But then, a few years ago, I heard about a yoga teacher who counts Cindy Crawford, David Duchovny, Courtney Love and Annette Bening among her clientele. And she was coming to Vancouver. Quick as a paparazzo snapping a shot, I signed up.

Gurmukh Kaur Kahlsa teaches one of my favorite styles of yoga: Kundalini, a fast-paced, dynamic style of yoga that strengthens the nervous system (and, if my aching muscles were any indication after my first session—your entire body). Classes with my Kundalini teacher had not only helped me get in shape, they’d enabled me to tap into an inner strength I never knew I had.

The first time I taught a yoga class—not an impromptu training session in my living room foisted on my family and friends, but a real yoga class, in an actual studio with a proper stereo, mats, props and everything—I wished I was back at home in my living room.

We started the class with an “Om”. So far, so good. I began my flow: warming up the spine, taking some twists, up to some vinyasas (series of movements linked with breath). It started to go downhill during warrior one. I began really looking around at the student’s faces. That’s when I noticed: no one was smiling. Actually, the facial expressions ranged from impassive to definite scowls: brows drawn together, tight lips, squinting eyes. They hated it. They hated my class, and they thought I sucked. That had to be it.

Sleeping can be stressful. How many of us have lain awake, aching to sleep, praying to sleep, practically giving ourselves a hernia trying to convince our body to “effing go to sleep already!”? 65% of all Americans have (National Sleep Foundation 2008), and, though Canada doesn’t have an official sleep pollster, I bet it’s safe to say the numbers would be similar.

From the moment I was born until early adulthood, I had more pissed off, sleepless nights than serene ones. (Fellow anxiety sufferers, I feel your pain.) Then I got into yoga.

It wasn’t just the stress-busting nature of the asana (physical posture) classes that had me sawing logs instead of swearing; it was the mind-calming, system-soothing tools and techniques I learned to do when I woke up, mind racing, in the middle of the night. The next time you find your self tossing and turning, get out of bed and try these two simple and effective techniques:

It’s no wonder everyone from glowingly healthy hippies to just-recovered-from-heart-surgery corporate executives are braving the long flight to India. The jam-packed country is the birthplace of not just yoga, but one of the most comprehensive, effective healing systems on the planet (full disclosure: that’s my opinion).

What is Ayur Veda?

Ayur Veda is a holistic health system that incorporates every part of life—from diet and digestion to exercise and everyone you spend time with. Customized healing programs, including herbal supplements, certain foods, yoga postures, and meditation, are prescribed based on a client’s particular concerns. The best part is that you don’t have to get sick before you see an Ayur Vedic doctor. It’s intended as a preventative health system (but it’s also great if your immune system’s kicked the bucket).