Asana of the Week – Vrksana

Here at Yoga Wellbeing we sat scratching our heads wondering what would be a worthwhile weekly post. After a couple of cups of tea (and hob nobs) we decided Thursday would be a great day to feature Asana of the Week, as it’s only one day away from the weekend. We thought it would be helpful to feel as though you were toping up your yoga practice at home. So we have decided that Vrksana the tree pose would be a gentle pose to start off with.

Wellbeing benefits –

• Improves sense of balance
• Strengthens thighs, calves, ankles, and spine
• Stretches the inner thighs, chest and shoulders
• Relieves sciatica and reduces flat feet

Be careful if –

• You suffer from insomnia or low blood pressure.
• Have high blood pressure, do not raise your arms above your head. Bring hands into prayer.

The Asana –

• Bend the right leg at the knee, raise the right thigh and bring the sole of the right foot as high up the inside of the left thigh as possible.
• Balancing on the left foot, raise both arms over the head, keep the elbows unbent and join the palms together.
• Hold the posture while breathing gently through the nostrils for about 10 complete breaths.
• Lower the arms and right leg and return to the tad-asana, standing position with feet together and arms at the sides.
• Pause for a few moments and repeat on the opposite leg.

The challenge of this asana is maintaining balance on one leg. Poor balance is often the result of a restless mind or distracted attention. Regular practice of this posture will help focus the mind and cultivate concentration. Imagine that the foot you are balanced on is the root of the tree and the leg is the trunk. You may be unsteady for a while and find the body swaying back and forth, but try not to break the concentration. Regular practice of this asana improves concentration, balance and coordination. Because the weight of the entire body is balanced on one foot, the muscles of that leg are strengthened and toned as well. As you advance in this posture and are able to remain standing for more than a few moments, try closing the eyes and maintaining your balance. Tree pose is a brilliant asana and has loads of benefits, so get outside and practice near a tree of your choice.