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Tree
vriksasana
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Highlights
Improved Balance and Stability: Tree pose challenges your balance and helps improve your overall stability. By practicing this pose regularly, you can strengthen the muscles of your feet, ankles, and legs, enhancing your ability to maintain balance in various activities.
Increased Focus and Concentration: Balancing in tree pose requires mental focus and concentration. As you hold the pose and find your center of gravity, you cultivate a sense of inner calm and mental clarity.
Hip Opening and Improved Flexibility: Tree pose involves placing one foot against the inner thigh of the opposite leg, which helps open the hips.
Strengthened Leg Muscles: In tree pose, you engage the muscles of your standing leg, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles. This strengthens the lower body and can help tone and sculpt the legs.
Improved Posture and Body Awareness: Tree pose promotes proper alignment and encourages an elongated spine. By focusing on your posture and body positioning in this pose, you develop greater body awareness, which can translate into improved posture in your daily life.
Calming and Grounding Effect: Tree pose is known for its grounding and calming effect. As you root down through your standing leg and imagine yourself as a tall, strong tree, you can experience a sense of stability and inner peace.
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Cautions
Recent or chronic ankle or knee injuries: If you have recently injured your ankle or knee, or if you have chronic issues in these areas, it's important to be cautious when practicing Tree Pose. The pose requires balancing on one leg and placing pressure on the standing foot, which can potentially aggravate these areas. It's advisable to modify the pose or seek guidance from a qualified yoga instructor to ensure proper alignment and minimise any strain on the injured or sensitive joints.
Hip or pelvic injuries: Individuals with hip or pelvic injuries or limitations should approach Tree Pose with care. The pose involves opening the hip of the lifted leg, and this movement may be challenging or uncomfortable for those with hip or pelvic issues. Modifying the pose by placing the foot against the calf or using a wall or chair for support can be helpful.
Balance or stability issues: Tree Pose requires a degree of balance and stability. Individuals with balance issues, vertigo, or other stability concerns should practice with caution and may benefit from the support of a wall or chair. Taking smaller steps or practicing near a sturdy object can help provide support and prevent falls.
Foot conditions or injuries: If you have any foot conditions, such as plantar fasciitis or foot injuries, it's important to be mindful of the pressure and strain placed on the foot during Tree Pose. Modifying the pose by placing the foot against the calf or using props for support can reduce the load on the foot.
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Preparation
Mountain Pose (Tadasana): Begin by grounding yourself in a strong and stable standing posture. This helps to establish a solid foundation and improve overall body awareness.
Tree Pose with support (Vriksasana): Start by practicing Tree Pose with the support of a wall or using a prop, such as a chair or block. This allows for greater stability and balance while focusing on proper alignment and engaging the muscles.
Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II): This pose helps to strengthen the legs and improve stability. It also opens the hips stretching the inner thighs and improves body awareness, which can be beneficial for finding balance in Tree Pose.
Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana): This pose stretches the inner thighs and groin, which can help increase flexibility and openness in the hips. It also cultivates a sense of grounding and stability.
Head-to-Knee Pose (Janu Sirsasana): This pose is a similar leg orientation to tree while seated but includes a fold stretching the back line.
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Cue In
1 - From Mountain Pose (Tadasana) Shift your weight onto your left foot
2 - Lift your right foot off the ground and place the sole of your right foot against your left inner thigh. If it's challenging to balance, you can place your foot on your left calf instead.
3- Find a focal point, a drishti, in front of you to help maintain balance and steady your gaze.
4 - Engage your core muscles, maintaining an upright posture.
5 - Bring your hands together at your heart center in a prayer position or extend your arms overhead.
“Ground firmly through the supporting foot.”
“Press your foot into the opposite leg and the opposite leg back into the foot”
“Keep the pelvis level instead of hiking one side or tilting downward”
“Lengthen your spine by imagining a string pulling the crown of your head towards the ceiling.”
“Find a tall and confident posture.”
“Soften your shoulders and relax any tension in your neck”
“Find balance in the pose, imagining yourself as a strong and steady tree rooted into the earth”
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Adjustments
Shoulders and chest: Use light touch on the shoulders to encourage them to relax any tension. You can guide them to broaden their collarbones and open their chest for a more expansive posture.
Pelvis Position: If there pelvis has rotated to the side use your hands on the hips to encourage them back to forward facing or neutral.
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Counter Poses
Viparita Karani (Legs-Up-The-Wall Pose): This restorative pose allows for gentle stretching of the legs while providing a soothing effect on the nervous system. It can help reduce fatigue and promote relaxation.
Eagle Pose (Garudasana): As a counterpose to Tree Pose, practicing Eagle Pose helps to release any residual tension in the hips, shoulders, and upper back. It also helps to improve balance and focus.
Parivrtta Anjaneyasana (Revolved Lunge Pose): This pose provides a twist that helps to release tension in the spine and squeezes inner thighs together.
Variations
"See the variations,
simple to complex"
Half Lotus Variation: For a deeper hip opening challenge, you can bring the foot of the lifted leg into a half lotus position, resting the foot on the opposite inner thigh with the heel close to the hip joint.
Tree Pose with a Twist or Side Bend: While in Tree Pose, you can add a twist by bringing one hand to the opposite knee and the other hand behind your back, gazing over the shoulder. Or Side bend by leaning to one side, try both ways. These variations enhances spinal mobility and challenges your balance and concentration.
Eyes closed : This will enhance the balance challenge.
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