Tulasana, or Scale Pose, is a balancing arm posture that builds significant upper body strength. The name comes from the Sanskrit ‘tula’ meaning scale or balance, referring to how the body resembles a weighing scale in this position. To practice Tulasana, one begins seated in a cross-legged position (often Padmasana or Lotus Pose), places the palms flat on the floor alongside the hips, and then presses down firmly to lift the entire body off the floor. The arms support the full body weight while the legs remain in the crossed position. This challenging pose develops tremendous strength in the wrists, arms, and shoulders while engaging the core muscles for stability. Tulasana improves balance, focus, and proprioception (awareness of body position). On a subtler level, the pose activates the manipura chakra (solar plexus) and builds confidence through conquering fear. As an advanced posture, Tulasana requires adequate preparation and should be approached gradually, potentially using blocks under the hands initially to reduce the distance the body needs to lift. Regular practice builds the foundation for more advanced arm balances in yoga.
