Mastering a yoga pose can be a daunting task. Here are the basics of what you need to know to get into Vrksasana (Tree Pose) safely. Have questions? Leave them in the comments below.
Sanskrit Name: Vrksasana (VRICK-shas-aNa) Vrksa = tree
Get Started: Stand in Mountain Pose. Shift your weight onto your left foot and bend your right knee. Place your right foot on your shin, calf or inner thigh. Avoid the knee joint. Slowly move your right knee to the right. Maintain a long spine by drawing the crown of your head to the sky. Ground down through the four corners of the left foot. Engage your core. Press your hands together at heart center or take a different arm variation. Gaze at one point
Benefits: Tree Pose strengthens the thighs, calves, ankles and spine. It stretches the groins and inner thighs, chest and shoulders. Tree Pose increases the range of motion in the hips and deeps the thorax. It helps relieve sciatica and reduces flat feet. It also improves general balance.
Contradictions: Be careful practicing this pose if you have a headache, insomnia or low blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, don’t raise your arms overhead.
Know your asana: Trees have always been powerful images in every culture. They symbolize life, growth, strength and balance, rooting down to the ground and rising up to the sky at the same time.