Vrikshasana

Vrikshasana, Vrksasana or Tree Pose is an asana.

Strengthens: Vertebral column, Thigh, Ankle, Calf
Stretches: Shoulder, Thigh, Thorax, Groin
Preparatory poses: Trikonasana, Baddha Koṇāsana, Virabhadrasana II
Pose type: standing
Also known as: Vrksasana, Tree pose

From Tadasana, weight is shifted to one leg, for example, starting with the left leg. The entire sole of the foot remains in contact with the floor. The right knee is bent and the right foot placed on the left inner thigh, or in half lotus position. In either foot placement, the hips should be open, with the right knee pointing towards the right, not forward. With the toes of the right foot pointing directly down, the left foot, center of the pelvis, shoulders and head are all vertically aligned. Hands are typically held above the head either pointed directly upwards and unclasped, or clasped together in anjali mudra.

The asana is typically held for 20 to 60 seconds to stretch the spine, returning to tadasana while exhaling, then repeating standing on the opposite leg.

Vrksasana, or Tree Pose is one of yoga’s most grounding and rooted asanas. Symbolizing the balance of life with the rooted-ness to earth, it is the opposing forces of stillness and movement, light and dark, yin and yang or energy moving in two directions to keep us aware yet grounded. This asana shows how you can find balance in stillness. As the leg slowly rises up to posture just below the groin, press gently into the standing leg with the bottom of your foot. Feel your standing foot flatten or root into the mat as you pull upward and outward from the spine…. crown of the head reaching to the heavens.