Upward Salute (Urdhva Hastasana Pose)

All standing yoga poses and movements, including the Sun Salutation Sequence, start with the Upward Salute (Urdhva Hastasana Pose). The stance may appear straightforward, and initially, it is. But there are a lot of intricate details to explore here. The position gives you a chance to focus inward, take stock of your body, and discover alignment. The mountain position is a foundation for the upward salute. Additional advantages include expanding the abdomen, enhancing digestion, and perhaps lowering stress and anxiety.

The same principles that govern mountain posture also apply to the upward salute. The palms should first be rotated outward in the mountain stance before being raised upward. When the arms are raised, check to make sure they are parallel to one another before pressing your palms together over your head. Make sure the rib cage is lifting away from the pelvis without bulging forward as you cast your gaze upward.

Take your look ahead if your neck is bothering you. If the palms are unable to press together at the top, separate the hands while lifting, keeping them in line with shoulders that are parallel to one another.