Self-acceptance and Tree Pose

Hello yogis!

One of the original intents for my blog was to post a pose of the week, along with a picture and a description of all of the benefits of the pose. I realized I have been stalling on this because I hesitate to take a picture of myself and post it.  I am also wary of just copying and pasting an image from the web without proper rights.

I know.  I should be more accepting of myself and just take the dang pictures. After all, one of the tenets of a healthy yoga practice is to do what you can with your mind and body in the present-NOT after you lose that last five pounds, or once you master one of those challenging poses, etc.  I guess it is only human for it to be much harder to practice what you preach.  However, I am not a perfect yogi (if there is such a thing), and am trying to practice more acceptance and self-compassion. It is much harder to evoke these feelings for myself than it is for me to feel it for my students and encourage them to do so. This week, I am using a photo I own to illustrate the pose. In the meantime, I will continue to try and improve my self-acceptance :)

In Sanskrit, Tree Pose it is referred to as Vriksasana (pronounced Vrik-Sha-Sa-Na). Not that anybody needs to know the Sanskrit words for poses, but sometimes they are just more fun to say! For me, using a Sanskrit term know and then evokes the ancient wisdom and cultural roots associated with yoga.

Tree Pose emphasizes the alignment of the head, hips, and spine. It is a hip opener and a chest opener.  Opening up the chest makes breathing more efficient and counters all of the repetitive rounding we do when we type, check our phones, cook, drive, scrunch our shoulders up to stay warm, etc.  Hip openers release tension in the hips-an area where most of us store a lot of excess tension, especially if you run or bike frequently. Tension not only does not feel good, but consumes our precious energy. Ever notice how you usually feel more fatigued when your body is tight? Tree also just feels good! It is nice to root down, attend to one’s breath, and yet feel strong and open.

To get into tree pose:

1.       Take time to root down through the feet.

2.       Create length in the spine and lift the crown of the head up towards     the sky.

3.       Roll your shoulders back to open up the chest.

4.       Push the hips forward and pull the lower belly up and in, to engage the core.

5.       Bring your hands to your hips. Root down and envision four corners stabilizing your planted foot, and lift one of your feet up. The sole of the lifted foot can rest against your ankle, your calf, or on the inner thigh.  Do not press the foot into the knee. Remember, it is a hip opener, so it is better to keep the foot lower, and work on the balance over time. If you lift the foot too high and your body isn’t ready for it, you may end up rounding through the back and the hip on the side of the lifted foot will not open up.

6.       Hands can remain on your hips, rest in prayer at heart center, or you can bring them up and spread those branches wide.

7.       Find a focal point, or drishti, to help you keep your balance. Let your attention rest on your breath. If you fall, just get back into the pose without judgment or self-criticism.  Every breath is chance to start over.

8.       Other options: for more of a balance challenge, lift your gaze up toward the sky or even try to close your eyes. Lift your arms up overhead and bring your palms together.  Make the pose your own and find what version feels best to you.

 Benefit s of Tree Pose:

·         Helps to improve balance and core strength

·         Improves posture

·         Improves concentration

·         Reduces tension in the hips

·         Strengthens back, legs, and ankles

·         Tones the shoulders and arms when lifted

·         Decreases symptoms of sciatica for some