Nataraja (nata means a dancer and raja means the king or the lord), king-dancer, is the name of Lord Shiva (one of the trinity of Hindu gods – Shiva, Vishnu, and Brhma). In addition to being the dissolver of the universe, Shiva was also the Lord of dance and created over a hundred dances. Natarajasana – नटराजासन - is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Step by Step

(click on the blue arrow for audio instructions)

1. Come to a comfortable standing position with the feet together and arms alongside the body. Inhale, shift your weight onto your right foot, and, bending the left knee, lift your left foot toward your left buttock. Pull the right knee cap up to keep the standing leg straight and strong.

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With this post, we will begin discussion of some of the balancing poses that are commonly practiced. We will start with the Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) (????????) which is one of the most commonly practiced one-leg balancing poses. Here are some of the benefits that are common to all one-leg balancing poses.

1. Develop better coordination and harmony between different parts of the body
2. Develop a sense of calm, mental stability and patience
3. Remove stress and nervousness and bring about a state of mental equanimity
4. Since one of the legs is doing the work of two legs in supporting the weight of the body, this supporting leg gets strengthened.
5. They help develop not just physical balance, but also a deep sense of mental focus and concentration

The Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) is a relatively simple pose to practice and yet provides all the benefits of the one-leg balancing poses.

Step-by-Step

(click on the blue arrow for audio instructions)

1. From the standing pose, lift the right foot up, shifting all the weight into the left leg. Turn the right knee all the way to the right resting the sole of the foot against the left thigh.

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