One With the Trees - Exploring VRKSASANA, Tree Pose
Make like a tree and root!
Tree pose, also called Vrksasana, looks like a simple posture at first glance. However, when done correctly, this pose will challenge your entire body both mentally and physically. Tree pose is one of the first balancing asanas most will encounter. Strong like a tree, this asana strengthens all surrounding muscles of the knee joint while cultivating a strong core.
Tree pose is among the most recognizable of yoga poses for a good reason. It is a balancing pose that is both challenging and achievable with variations. Once you’ve practiced a bit, the feeling of grounding down and reaching up at the same time is very satisfying. Almost like you're a tree with branches swaying in the wind. We inhale the oxygen that trees exhale, and they inhale the carbon dioxide we exhale, teaching us how we support one another on this living breathing planet. Trees can also teach us about the importance of cultivating roots. When you practice, visualize your standing foot as the roots, your legs and torso as the trunk, your arms as the branches. Vkasanana inspires you to remain strong and grounded despite any winds that try to shake you. Tree pose is also the perfect place to play and explore how staying strongly connected to one focal point can make a huge difference in the experience of your mind and body.
How to practice being one with the trees:
Beginning in Mountain pose (Tadasana).
Bring hands in prayer at heart center and begin to root into the right foot, bending the left knee and coming onto left toes.
Focus your gaze slightly down and a few feet in front of you (establishing your drishti). Take a few breaths settling in and finding your focus as you prepare for the pose.
Bring your left foot to the inside of the right ankle, shin, or thigh. Avoid placing the foot on the knee. Left foot presses into the right leg with the foot flexed to protect the ankle joint. Left thigh externally rotates from the hip.
Inhale arms up over head, biceps firm toward each other, fingers energized and spread wide.
Soften tops of shoulders away from the ears, by rolling your shoulder blades down and back.
Breathe steady, release any tension from the face as you maintain a focused gaze.
To come out of the pose, on an exhalation lower leg and arms back down into Mountain (Tadasana), prepare for the second side.
I hope you find stability and length as you practice Vkasanana, tree pose. Once you try it leave us a comment and let us know how it felt.
If you’re searching for more guided yoga poses, click here to join me in this grounding yoga class.
