Mountain

I have been using a lot of grounding poses lately in my yoga therapy class for patients and at home for myself, and so my mind is wondering why this dynamic posture benefits us so much.  Examples of grounding "asanas" are Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, Chair Pose, and Half Moon Pose.  I love the balancing forces of consciously pushing down into the earth while stretching up towards the sky.  

Physically, it is therapeutic for the body to breathe into and expand the space between the vertebrae of the spine, into the lungs and ribcage, from the toes to the crown of the head.  Improvements in posture, muscle imbalance, blood and lymphatic circulation (immune functions) are evident in the scientific study of these yoga poses.

Metaphysically, it is calming to ground the energy deep into the earth, while at the same time, stretching our limits towards the heavens.  It is the reflection of experiencing heaviness and lightness that we can interpret as the metaphor of life's ups and downs.

In daily life, we often encounter the call to "stretch" ourselves in ways that challenge our habitual behaviors.  If we take a minute to ground ourselves, to breathe, to know that we our rooted in the truth of our existence, it is easier to keep the balance that sustains our dynamic upward reach.  

"Posture is our attitude toward life."

--Stanley Paris, founder of University of St. Augustine's Doctorate of Physical Therapy program