Tree Pose: Reinforces Confidence, Nervous Balance And Improves Concentration

By Patricia | November 7, 2008

Tree Pose – Vrksasana

For a lot of people, particularly beginners, balancing poses seem very challenging. Often they find it hard enough to do a pose even with both feet planted firmly on the ground. So you can imagine their fear of toppling over balancing on one foot. However, there is a key and the key to successful balance lies in developing awareness of one’s midline. It is really the median line of one’s body – the vertical axis that dividing the face and neck that runs straight down the center of the body and pelvis, between the legs into the floor.

So the best way is to work from the ground upwards if we wish to establish a strong foundation in a pose – i.e. the roots of the tree. You begin by opening the doors of perception in the feet and the best way to achieve this is through the practice of the Tree Pose.

Steps For Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

1.  To begin, go into Tadasana (Mountain Pose). Bear your weight your right foot, your left foot grounded into your Yoga Mat. Now bend your left knee then reach down with your left hand and take hold of your left ankle.

2.  Pull up your left foot and rest the heel against your inside of your right thigh. If you can, push your left heel into the top of your left thigh, toes pointing downward.

3.  Ensuring that your midriff is relaxed, place your hands on top of your hips.

4.  Stretch your sacrum down toward your Mat. Press your left foot strongly against your right thigh. Join your palms together and, softly, fix your eyes on a point ahead of you, either on the floor about 3 or 4 feet away.

5.  Hold the pose for ½ a minute to 1 minute then exhale and return back to Tadasana. Reverse and repeat the pose, for the same length of time, on the other side.

Benefits Of Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

  • Tree pose builds up the muscles of your ankles, calves, spine, and thighs
  • It exercises the chest, groins, thighs and shoulders
  • It reinforces your confidence and nervous balance
  • A great help for  sciatica and flat feet
  • Helps to cultivate a better sense of balance
  • Improves concentration and focus

Contradictions:

  • Tree pose is best avoided in cases of recent or chronic hip or knee injuries.

Beginners:

  • For more stability try spreading your hands out to your sides
  • Alternately, you can also take the support of a wall, with one hand on the wall.