Vrksasana
Vrksasana // Tree Pose
Getting into the pose:
To enter Tree pose begin in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and bring the sole of the foot up onto the leg. Choose anywhere on the leg that is comfortable for the body – it could be the ankle, the calf or the thigh – making sure to avoid the knee. Traditionally the hands are taken to prayer at the heart – peace fingers are optional (but totally rad).
Common Errors in the pose:
Rolling onto the inside or outside of the foot – make sure you ground down through all corners of the feet – pressing down evenly as you rise through the crown of the head. If you choose to raise your arms overhead as a variation – make sure you still create space between the neck and the shoulders.
Benefits of the pose:
- Builds strength in the legs.
- Builds focus and concentration
- Begins to work into the external rotation of the femur bone
Transitions well into:
Eagle Pose, Warrior III
I recently found an explanation that really helped me. While the foot is pressing into your thigh, remember to push back with your inner thigh! It sounded pretty obvious, but I didn’t realize I wasn’t doing it until I read that!
Yes! The concept of dual action is really useful in all yoga postures! Two opposing forces to help us find that centre of balance between them! x