"Mindfulness Meditation"

I just came across this term, and interestingly enough, I have been practicing mindful meditation without even knowing that THIS is what I have been doing all along.
Typically when I go to sleep, and especially when I am trying to sleep and I am not at all sleepy is when I mindfully meditate.  This really means, that you close your eyes, and allow your mind to engage into each and every sound that you hear around you.  Each sound will awaken a memory, or a thought, a feeling, or an action.  And you allow your mind to take over and flow through your thoughts.  Each new sound will stimulate a new thought.  Amazingly, this will put you into a deep meditation, and finally into sleep.  The tough part is to control your meditative state, and to not fall asleep, as I have been doing all these years. 

It is, "a moment to moment awareness of changing objects of perception", as revealed by Frank Jude Boccio a teacher of yoga and Zen Buddhism and the author of "Mindfullness Yoga". 

This type of meditation ultimately teaches us to practice "Upeksha" or "Equanimity" or a clear, and balanced response to the trials of life.  As Frank Boccio says, "we are moved by injustice in the world and motivated to make things better, but our deep inner serenity is not disturbed."  This is the only constructive way that we can contribute to society in a meaningful way, without each event (such as disaster, war, or tragedy) gaining hold of our inner selves.  When that happens, we are unable to think objectively and we may end up acting in a rash or unreasonable manner. 

Swami Satchidananda says, "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf".  :) 

What does Tadasana really mean?

After writing my article on Tadasana, I found that there is a range of information on what Tadasana really means, and why it is called the “mountain pose”. Several of my friends and relatives were telling me one of two seemingly conflicting definitions… tada some said means mountain and others said that it also means tree. So I researched more into this word, and came up with an answer of sorts.
According to the Shivram Apte dictionary, “Taad” in Sanskrit means Mountain. Hence, the meaning of the Tadasana which is Mountain pose. However, it should be spelled Taadasana.
"Taal-Vrksha" in Sanskrit means Palm Tree, and there is an actual Yoga pose called Vrksasana or Tree pose, which is a balancing pose, very different from Taadasana.
Now to address the controversy of Tadasana meaning tree and also meaning mountain… In an Indian Language, derived from Sanskrit, called Marathi, "Taad" means palm tree.

So, Tadasana could very well mean both “palm tree” pose as well as “mountain pose”. The fact is, whether it means tree or mountain really has no consequence.


Both a tree and a mountain designate stability. A mountain has a huge base and has a connotation of being vast, strong and grounded. A tree is also grounded with its strong and vast array of roots which anchor it to the ground. In doing Tadasana, we can reconnect with our bodies and ground ourselves to the earth, just like a tree or a mountain.

Tadasana - The Transition Pose

This word has been entering my mind all day long and I thought I would expand on the word and understand why Tadasana is so important in the practice of Yoga.


Tadasana, or "Mountain Pose" does not seem to be a very active or even a very useful pose. I often used to think it was a transition pose, from one active pose to another, and a complete waste of yoga time. But, as I began to increase my practice and engage my body and mind around the life style of yoga, I noticed that there was much more to Tadasana than I had thought possible.
Tadasana, like its meaning, "Mountain Pose" connects us to the earth through our feet and it connects us to the sky above us as well. Being able to center your body and feel the ground below you is essential in the practice of Yoga. Between poses, Tadasana allows us to reconnect to our bodies and to really feel what the pose we have just completed has done to our bodies. Through Tadasana we allow ourselves to feel our muscles and how they have expanded and changed as compared to when we started our Yoga for the day.
1- To correctly do Tadasana, you must first stand a little less than hip width apart with the outside of your feet parallel. You must plant your feet into the ground, feeling the earth beneath you.

2- Next, extend your body upwards, through your spine, elongating your back.

3- Raise your shoulders up and roll them back, keeping your back straight. Keep your head straight and over your neck. Reach your head up toward the sky.

4- Feel and Imagine your head reaching up and touching the sky. Lengthen your spine and ground your feet, spreading your toes and plant your feet into the stable earth beneath you.

5- Keep your jaw loose and relax all the muscles in your face and your forehead.

6- Keep your arms loose at your side and concentrate on a point straight ahead.
Doing Tadasana between poses is a good way to regroup and to reconnect with the muscles in your body before moving on to the next pose in your Yoga Practice.
Try doing Tadasana several times during the day when you are at work, and when you need to take a break. It is a great way to rest your muscles and to regroup before moving on to the next task for the day.