Tuesday, January 18, 2011
• Kapolei, HI 96707-1488
Tree pose (vrakasana) strengthens your thighs, calves, ankles, and spine. The pose also stretches your groin, inner thighs, chest and shoulders. With practice this posture improves your sense of balance, relieves sciatica and reduces flat feet. So says Yoga Journal.com. I can only agree after over ten years of studying/teaching yoga.
- Stand in mountain pose with your feet together and your arms at your sides. Be like a tree, with your mind's eye (drishti) focused on a distant point - a tree leaf in the distance for example. Let your body become like a tree as you root your feet and tighten your core muscles.
- Bring your hands in prayer position to your heart's center (namaste) and bring the heel of one foot to rest against the standing ankle of the other foot.
- Use your hand to bring your foot up to the thigh of the standing leg when and if you are ready, otherwise wait until another time. Bring your hands up over your head placing your palms together as in the picture above.
- Breathe deeply continuing to focus on your distant point. Stay here for five to ten breaths increasing the time with practice.
- Repeat tree pose standing on the other leg for the same amount of breaths.
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