MAN ON THE MAT with Ravi Dixit
Tree Pose (Vrikshasana)
VRIKSHA IS THE SANSKRIT WORD FOR ‘TREE’ AND ‘ASANA’ MEANS POSTURE. TREE POSE IS A BALANCING ASANA THAT TAKES INSPIRATION FROM THE STRENGTH AND STABILITY OF A TREE.
BENEFITS
- Improves balance and stability.
- Improves overall posture.
- Strengthens the legs, ankles, back and arms.
- Enhances hip stability and flexibility.
- Strengthens the core.
- Increases concentration and emotional stability.
COMMON MISTAKES
It’s an easy mistake to lose alignment in the hips. When you bend the leg in, it’s important to keep your hips level with each other. Try not to ‘pop’ the hips to one side. Please check that your body is in one line, the back is straight and your waist and hips are aligned.
Pushing the feet against the knee:
When we practice the tree pose, we place one foot on the inner thigh or lower leg, but never on the knee. Press your foot and leg together for stability. Often people end up pushing their foot against the knee. This can cause pressure on the knee joints and can cause injury. Place the foot just above or below, to avoid putting pressure directly on the knee.
TIPS
- If you don’t feel you have enough stability in this pose yet, you can place your foot on the shin of the leg, or start by keeping the toes and ball of the foot on the floor and just resting the heel on your shin.
- To help with balance, you can use the support of a wall to practice the pose until you feel more stable.
AWARENESS
Gaze: Focus on a fixed point. Choose a spot in front of you and keep your gaze steady. This practice is known as Drishti and helps to maintain balance.
Breath: While standing in this pose, take a few breaths and relax the body. Inhale stretching both arms above the head keeping your hands in Namaste.
Ravi Dixit is an Indian yoga teacher and founder of Ravi Yoga Retreat, living between London and Goa. He is passionate about making traditional yoga understandable for everyone. Visit: ravi.yoga our connect on Instagram @raviyoga_goa
Photo: Mosalik Studios (mosalikstudios.com)
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