Shiva's Dance - Tandavasana
Much of Yoga philosophy come from ancient Hindu myths. Many yoga poses are named after the Hindu deities and their activities. Tandavasana is one such pose. The Tandava is the name of the dance that Lord Shiva does to initiate the cycle of creation and destruction that sustains the physical universe. Lord Shiva is known as the god of the Yogis for his auspicious and virtuous nature. He embodies all the qualities needed to create a beautiful world; truth, kindness, love, reliability, simplicity and non-attachment. By practicing Lord Shiva’s dance pose we can hope to build these qualities in ourselves.
What To Do
- Begin by standing equally on both feet.
- Lift the right foot and bend the knee so the thigh is parallel to the floor and crossing in front of the left leg.
- Hover the right hand over the thigh.
- Bend the left elbow so the palm faces forward and hold it over the right wrist.
Modifications
- Practice standing in front of a wall to help build confidence with balance.
Benefits
- Balances the nervous system.
- Builds balancing skills.
- Tones the legs and arms.
