Notes
Samasthiti has a wider base than
tadasana because the feet are
placed with the heels under the
sitting bones (or wider) rather
than as close to each other as
possible. All the standing poses
that are executed from this
base, as opposed to tadasana,
consequently have a wider, more
stable base of support.
Additionally, the head is
lowered and the hands are in
namaste (prayer) position. This
is typical of the starting point
of a sun salutation, a vinyasa,
which is used by many systems
of hatha yoga to connect asanas
into a flowing sequence.
Terminology Note
In the Ashtanga tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the term samasthiti refers to what is here
described as tadasana. In the teaching tradition of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and his son,
T.K.V. Desikachar, the term tadasana refers to a standing pose with the arms overhead,
and balancing on the balls of the feet (the base of which is depicted below).
Base of support for samasthiti. The circled dot marks E5267/Kaminoff/fig6.8/417628/alw/pulled-r1
where the center line of gravity falls.E5267/Kaminoff/fig6.9/417629/alw/pulled-r1Here the weight is balanced on the balls of the feet.
The X marks where the center line of gravity falls.