Treasured Yoga Poses: Tree (Vrksasana)

Introduced to yoga in 2001, it didn’t take long for me to develop a list of favorite poses. As I traveled through weight fluctuations, depression, & anxiety, these treasured yoga poses took on a whole new meaning.

When folks think of yoga, tree pose is often the first image to pop into their heads. For me, tree pose is the ultimate in sanity recovery. Cell phone, TV, laptop, e-mails, Twitter, Facebook … our ironically-named “connected lifestyle” has left many of us lonely, exhausted, & scatterbrained. The solution? Pause, breath, and become a tree.

Trees have strong roots but pliable branches. As a vital member of the natural world, trees are home to insects, birds, and some mammals. They provide food for creatures of all kinds & much-needed oxygen. Even if cut down, trees keep on giving through the use of their wood & the nutrients available in its remnants. Trees are the ultimate team players, using just what they need to thrive & sharing their ongoing vibrancy with others. When was the last time you felt that way?

The feeling tree pose creates is the best medicine against multitasking. Whenever I am trying to do too much at once or can’t even focus on a single task, I take a short break & practice tree pose. As an introductory balancing pose, you can’t afford wasting your mental energy on anything but practicing tree pose. After less than 5 minutes, my mind is sharp & my body feels strong.

When battling with depression & anxiety, not much could inspire me to get out of bed – except tree pose. When my body & mind work together in tree pose, my inner confidence get a nice boost. “If I can do tree pose, just think of what else I can do!” Thanks to its encouragement of mental & physical balance, you’ll often find me practicing tree pose … everywhere! Cooking in the kitchen, standing in line, swimming in a pool – tree pose is the quintessential go-anywhere, do-anywhere yoga pose.

You Tell Me: When could you use more mental focus or physical coordination?

(Have you tried practicing tree pose in those moments?)

[Images courtesy of My Yoga Online + Yoga Journal Magazine]