Your tree. Your force.
A tree is deeply rooted in the earth.
It is the ground beneath that gives it strength when the world becomes stormy.
A young tree sways in the wind.
An old tree stands firm.
Its trunk does not seem to move – only its branches and leaves reveal, through their rustling and dancing, how strong the wind is.
It is the ground beneath that gives it strength when the world becomes stormy.
A young tree sways in the wind.
An old tree stands firm.
Its trunk does not seem to move – only its branches and leaves reveal, through their rustling and dancing, how strong the wind is.
They say trees grow towards the sky.
They are tall, strong, radiating kindness and calm.
They are tall, strong, radiating kindness and calm.
Maybe you’ve sat beneath a tree – or even in one – and for a moment, you were simply there.
Breathing.
Feeling good.
Perhaps even recharging, finding peace and strength.
Breathing.
Feeling good.
Perhaps even recharging, finding peace and strength.
In yoga, we try to sense the spirit of the tree in the Tree Pose.
We root ourselves into Mother Earth to find stability, stillness, and serenity.
We root ourselves into Mother Earth to find stability, stillness, and serenity.
This asana develops physical and nervous balance.
It strengthens your legs, ankles, calves, and the muscles of your feet.
It strengthens your legs, ankles, calves, and the muscles of your feet.
Our trunks and branches may vary – each tree, like each moment, is unique.
It’s not about a perfect shape.
It’s about a moment of inner connection.
Of balance, calm, and strength.
It’s not about a perfect shape.
It’s about a moment of inner connection.
Of balance, calm, and strength.
And sometimes, Tree Pose can simply be joyful – playful and social – light and free, wherever and whenever.
( A dream tree in Ilhavo, Portugal)
A spontaneous yoga moment in St. Tropez
Tree Pose (Vrksasana)
Stand tall and steady on both feet.
Inhale and create space in your center.
Exhale and gently pull your navel in toward your spine.
Lengthen your cervical spine upward and slightly back.
Keep your chin parallel to the ground, your gaze soft and directed into the distance.
Inhale and create space in your center.
Exhale and gently pull your navel in toward your spine.
Lengthen your cervical spine upward and slightly back.
Keep your chin parallel to the ground, your gaze soft and directed into the distance.
Inhale, bring your hands together in front of your chest. You can leave them here (into one-legged prayer pose) or you can stretch them overhead.
Exhale, draw your shoulders gently down and back — relaxed, yet strong.
Exhale, draw your shoulders gently down and back — relaxed, yet strong.
Place your left foot on the inside of your right leg — as high as feels comfortable today.
Stay here for a few calm breaths.
Stay here for a few calm breaths.
Then gently place your left foot back down
and bring your hands to your heart center.
and bring your hands to your heart center.
Now switch sides.
Practice each side three times.
Afterward, take a moment to pause and feel —
notice how you are in this calm, grounded posture.
Practice each side three times.
Afterward, take a moment to pause and feel —
notice how you are in this calm, grounded posture.
(Practiced at Finca El Morisco, Málaga)
In this flow, you can see how my tree grows ;)
How does your tree grow?
How does your tree grow?
You can also build your Tree Pose like this:
Stand upright with your feet together and your arms relaxed at your sides.
Stay here for a few breaths.
You can either close your eyes or let your gaze rest softly on a fixed point in front of you.
Stay here for a few breaths.
You can either close your eyes or let your gaze rest softly on a fixed point in front of you.
Exhale and bend your right leg.
If it feels comfortable, reach for your ankle and, with your next inhale, place the sole of your foot on the inside of your left thigh.
Hold your ankle until your body finds its balance. Let your breath flow naturally.
If it feels comfortable, reach for your ankle and, with your next inhale, place the sole of your foot on the inside of your left thigh.
Hold your ankle until your body finds its balance. Let your breath flow naturally.
With your next inhale, bring your hands together in front of your heart, then raise them overhead.
Stay here for as long as it feels good – but not longer than 2 minutes.
Stay here for as long as it feels good – but not longer than 2 minutes.
With your next exhale, release your hands first, then gently lower your foot.
Take a moment to feel and compare both sides of your body.
Now build your Tree Pose on the other side.
Now build your Tree Pose on the other side.
You can practice each side up to three times.
Give yourself a short break of up to 30 seconds between sides.
At the end, enjoy 5 minutes of relaxation in a resting pose of your choice to regenerate body and mind.
Give yourself a short break of up to 30 seconds between sides.
At the end, enjoy 5 minutes of relaxation in a resting pose of your choice to regenerate body and mind.
This flow also helps to mobilize the hips.
Feel free to place something with a little weight on your head.
This will naturally encourage your spine to lengthen as your body instinctively adjusts to carry the weight in balance.
This will naturally encourage your spine to lengthen as your body instinctively adjusts to carry the weight in balance.
You might want to practice walking with the object on your head before moving into the asana.
A cushion works better than a melon – although the melon makes for a much better photo! 😉
A cushion works better than a melon – although the melon makes for a much better photo! 😉
My tree, framed by two enchanting dancers
Together we grew our friendship tree on the Sea Cloud
A spontaneous yoga moment – our tree pose line in front of the stunning Cathédrale de la Major, Marseille
Recharging energy on this inviting tree