NAVIGATING YOGA > Vrkasana, a.k.a Tree Pose This week’s yoga
pose, Tree Pose, is one of my favorites to teach—it is always a
great way to introduce balancing exercises, as it focuses on
engaging your body from the ground up. To begin, root down
through your feet. While standing with your feet apart, press
your weight into your heels and relax your toes. Engage your
left leg by flexing those muscles, not so tight that you lock
your knee, but enough to feel those muscles work. Begin to stand
on that leg by lifting your right heel to your left ankle.
Balance at that point. Focus your gaze on a particular spot in
front of you that is not moving. Engage your core by bringing
your belly button to your spine, and drop your tailbone
underneath you so that you are balancing from your center rather
than from your lower back. When you’re feeling balanced, you can
start to inch that heel up a little higher up your left leg. If
you’re feeling really balanced, reach down with your right hand
to grab a hold of your right an