Tree Pose for Everyone

Before we get into Tree pose, I want to share my thoughts on Tree. First, it is okay to wobble and even fall out of the pose. When this happens see if you laugh or smile about it - don’t judge yourself - have fun with it. Our balance changes - some days you might balance well and some days it feels impossible. That’s ok - we meet ourselves where we are in that moment in time. And remember that the most advanced poses are not the picture perfect poses we see on social media. The most advanced pose is the one that honors your body and mind at that moment!!

Tree pose can pose challenges to yoga practitioners. It needs strength, balance, flexibility and complete concentration. All this in one pose - fantastic! Best of all - it’s great whatever form your tree takes. Let’s get started from the ground up.

If tree pose is new to you or you want a pose that shows the form of the tree, I recommend starting on y our back and coming into tree pose here. Flex your right foot and bend the left knee bringing the sole of the foot somewhere along the right leg, sending the left knee toward the ground. Having the knee touch the ground is the direction we are moving in - it’s okay if that never happens. you can stretch your arms on the floor behind you as you create the branches of the tree. (remember to do both sides)

Moving into a standing pose makes this more challenging. Finding a strong foundation in mountain pose. Check in with your body and square the shoulders and the hips and make sure your toes are pointed forward. Find a spot that doesn’t move to gaze at during the posture. Ground down through the right foot - don’t lock that knee. Bend your left knee and place the sole of the foot somewhere along the inner right leg. You can keep your toes on the ground and lift the heel - or you can grab the left foot and pull it up into the inner thigh - or anywhere in between. Hands can come to prayer position in front of your heart - or you can create branches by raising your arms into branch positions. During the pose - keep breathing and keep growing tall.

If you want the wall to steady you. Stand so that one hand can touch the wall easily. The standing leg is the one closest to the wall. Place one hand near or on the wall as you complete getting into tree pose. You can then play with balance by taking the hand off the wall for a second or longer - maybe try putting hands in prayer position - always returning to the wall when it benefits you.

For those of you looking for more challenging - try closing your eyes in the pose - or gently swaying your branches - ot both!!

Let us know what you think about tree pose. Or how your journey with tree pose is going - maybe drop a photo of you in treeon our Facebook page by clicking the icon below.