People, Happy Friday!

Today, I present the proper foundation and practice for a very challenging (more so than it seems) “balancing stick” pose, or Tuladandasana as is referred to in the Bikram series. As an asana it is recognized as the “Warrior III” pose, or Virabhadrasana III.

For martial artists this is a challenging pose which optimizes the work for improvement of core strength, and overall limb extension. The pose creates a full body tension, while it also works to adjust and improve posture, and perfect balance.

[vimeo https://vimeo.com/136324079]

For its practice what is most difficult is to reach the full body’s extension, which means that your limbs reach full height; full height is considered your feet and hands to be at or above your hip’s level.

Do not let this seemingly easy pose fool you… It is one of the most challenging poses reason why it is the shortest pose of the Bikram series.

Once you have pivoted, and your body is in a full extension, your body goes into a rushed mode for blood pumping into your heart, so as you begin its practice you will learn it is one of the most cardiovascular poses; getting out of it, your heart is significantly accelerated… give it a try!

Additional benefits of its practice include :

• Strengthening of ankles and legs
• Strengthening the shoulders and back muscles
• Abdominal toning

Remember : it is a full tension pose, where as in a steel cable, you are pulling in both directions -toward the front with your hands and toward the back with your feet. If you are not challenged, then you are not pulling. And always remember to exit the pose in the opposite way you entered.

-Tabitha. White Belt, Bikram Yoga practitioner + Usui Ryoho Reiki Master