Sthitaprarthasana is the starting point of Yogic postures. Many say this to be the first lesson in Yoga postures that begins with the study of simple prayer poses in standing form. Sthitaprarthasana has many educative and corrective or therapeutic advantages even of these simple poses.
Sthitaprarthasana is a group of initial Yoga asanas. Of these, the easiest one is the posture that could be termed (sthita) Prarthanasana or the prayer-pose in relaxed standing position. The purpose is to gain steadiness through gradual control over the voluntary muscular movements. This prayer-pose, thus, serves a threefold purpose. This pose offers through steadiness the best physical attitude for prayer in standing and also teaches normal posture in standing pose through coordination of skeletal muscles and corrects postural defects by helping proper carriage.
Women often practice Sthitaprarthasana to cure many diseases. In recommending Sthitaprarthasana, the Yoga objective is the same to hold the body as tall as possible without actually rising on the toes. One needs to keep the feet together and place all the weight upon the balls of the parallel feet. Then, the person has to throw the head and chest well up, the shoulder blades should fall flat upon the back, the abdominal muscles are deflated at their lower part but not necessarily drawn inwards and fuller just below the ribs, the pelvis should be slanted at such an angle so as to prevent any exaggeration of the lumbar curve, the knees should be straight but not stiff, the legs together, touching each other (above the knees), and the hands folded and brought over the sternum. One should avoid tension, and relax the mind and fix the eyes on any object kept in front.
In this position of Sthitaprarthasana, the thorax is full and round, the diaphragm is high, and the abdomen is given its greatest length, thus, holding the stomach and the intestinal viscera in place, and the pelvic organs are free from any excessive pressure from above. There is partial relaxation of the muscles and no tension noticeable, moreover no part of the body is overworked or strained. With the arms relaxed and one must let down at their respective sides, as an alternative variant for proper carriage, it offers the most ideal position for standing. One should maintain this Sthitaprarthasana position for about five to seven minutes, being followed by other poses.
