Keep it Simple: Upward Salute / Urdhva Hastasana
One of the most powerful of the “simple poses” to me is Upward Salute. I love how this pose makes me feel, physically, emotionally, and mentally!
Upward Salute is similar to Mountain Pose/Tadasana in that you are a standing tall and grounded with both feet on the mat. But, that’s where’s the similarities end for me. If Mountain pose is “standing at the ready”, as Erin mentioned in a previous post, then Upward Salute is that moment after to give thanks or receive energy (depending on your practice that day).
As you reach the arms up, there is an opening of the diaphragm, the chest, the shoulders, and the neck. And that opening is something that makes me feel down right victorious in my body.
I’m both grounded to the earth and flying away at the same time.
Functionally, the opening up of the upper body allows for an expansion of breath. That permission to breathe big and deep is refreshing and relaxing. It also promotes strength through the core, the shoulders, and the arms. And there is powerful stability in the legs holding you up in this active pose.
The upward gaze and raised arms always make me feel like I’m reaching up to something greater than myself - that I’m grateful and saying thank you to the universe for its abundance or that I am pulling down the power that I need for that moment in time. How I mentally approach the pose can be different on different days, which is the beauty of such a simple pose.
Upward Salute is a beautiful pose for a simple and short gratitude meditation practice or for a moment when you need to summon energy. It invites the practitioner to look above their normal site line, to see the world from a different perspective, and to mentally reset and recharge in just a few moments time.
So, if you are feeling especially grateful (and November is a month of thanks, after all) OR you need to find the motivation to finish that work project, cook dinner, or help get your kids ready for bed (the struggle is real, y’all), Upward Salute is there for you.
Happy Upward Saluting everyone; take care!
