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BALANCING POSES
Tree | Vrksasana
Tree pose improves balance and strengthens the arches, ankles, calves, and thighs. It helps lengthen the spine and opens the shoulders, chest, thighs and hips. Mental benefits of tree include calming the mind and enhancing focus.
Sanskrit: vrksasana
Drishti: forward or upward
Materials
- yoga mat
Instructions
- Stand in tadasana. Spread your toes and root down through all four corners of your feet.
- Shift the weight on your left foot, engaging the core while keeping your focus forward. Inhale and bend your right leg, placing the right foot against the inner left thigh.
- Exhale and bring your palms together in front of your heart.
- Hold for several breaths, release and repeat on the other side.
Notes
Variations: for a gentle variation, bring your foot only as high as your ankle. Be careful not to place the foot on the side of the knee. For a more challenging version, extend your arms overhead, bringing palms together.
Preparatory poses: tadasana, upward salute, chair
Follow-up poses: downward facing dog, tadasana, forward fold, warrior 1, warrior 2, eagle