Vrksasana Tree Pose
Benefits:
Creates balance and sense of grounding, strengthens spine, hips, legs, knees and ankles, opens chest and shoulders.
How to:
While standing in Tadasana mountain pose, root down through your standing foot (right foot in picture) engage standing leg and then bend left knee and place sole of foot either above or below the knee joint (as in picture).
Press the left sole of foot into standing right thigh, and the right thigh into the left foot.
Relax the shoulders down away from the ears and bring your hands in front of the heart in Anjali mudra. Stand tall and lift the chest. Engage the core and the pelvic floor.
Staying in pose for five deep breaths. Release pose gently and repeat on the other side.
Modifications:
Beginners may practice pose against a wall for support. If the standing leg or knee needs more support, bend standing knee slightly to engage the quadriceps (thigh).
Challenges:
As your practice advances, your can place your foot on the inner thigh above the knee. Closing your eyes while in tree pose creates a new awareness to this balancing pose. Extending your arms up over head with palms facing up may also enhance this pose and strengthen the shoulders.
NAMASTE friends
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Thank you--this is super helpful to see side by side! I always have my shoulders up.
Great post! The visual really helps a lot too, I love it!