Standing postures are foundational in yoga practice. They build physical awareness, strength, and power, allowing the body’s potential to shine through. Yogic flexibility comes from strength. Therefore, it is essential for students to develop their muscles, joints, and bones before attempting bending and twisting poses.

Standing asana offer the greatest range of motion (ROM) in the body, enabling easy adjustments to achieve optimal alignment without excessive teacher intervention. They should form a core component of our practice, from basic to advanced. The large muscles of the legs are engaged in standing poses, promoting strength, stability, and balance. They greatly stimulate the nervous system, enhancing mental alertness.

Maintaining a hip-width stance ensures greater stability, with wider stances compromising stability. Students should adjust their stance closer to the hip line when feeling unstable, prioritising the back foot for adjustments due to its greater mobility. In Tadasana (mountain pose), standing with feet together stimulates the brain’s organic support for balance. If balance is challenging, standing with feet hip-width apart is advisable.