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Exploring Tree Pose: A Step-by-Step Guide for Yogis

By Melissa Hamilton June 13, 2017



1. From Mountain pose, bend the right knee shifting all the weight into the left leg. Turn the right knee to the right, and slowly slide the right foot up the left leg. Rest the heel against the left leg at your ankle, shin, or inner thigh) only as high up as you can maintain your balance. To reduce injury risk do not rest your foot on your knee.

2. Stare at one point, or find your Drishti (Sanskrit for Gazing Point for the eyes to focus.) When you are balanced here, slowly bring the palms together, prayer position in front of the heart.

3. Keep staring at your focal point. Keep the left leg stable by pressing the foot into the floor. Keep the right knee bent 90 degrees towards the sidewall, I like to pretend a wall is behind me, that my lifted leg is pressing against. The shoulders are down and back and the chest is pressing forward.

4. If you are very balanced here, try inhaling the arms over the head. The arms are in a V or H position, or the palms may join with the thumbs crossed, or the fingers are interlaced with the index finger pointed up. The fingers are reaching up and the shoulders are down and back.

5. Breathe and hold for 6-8 breaths.

6.  Release by slowly exhaling the arms down and then release the legs back into the mountain pose then repeat on the opposite side for yoga is all about balance.


Photography by: Brianna Bowman