Bamboomoves Tree Pose

With regard to the aspect of grounding and focus, the kids Yoga class generally love to explore tree pose. Tree pose, allows them to ground their feet into the earth, discover balance, and focus their attention. Along with the many benefits of tree pose, we generally do it with a song that I composed, and the students pick the tree that they want to be. While they stand in tree pose, they adjust their arms to be a coconut tree, bamboo tree, linden tree, orange, apple etc. Picking the tree is sometimes the most fun!

Tree Pose - Vrikshahsana

While in the gorgeous Philadelphia, I noticed the amazing trees in lush fall colors. I decided to be a "Tree on a Rock". With a sign "No Rock Climbing" very close by, my rebel yogini side came out, and I decided to find balance and execute tree pose, on a rock! With one gush of wind, it would have been an interesting drop, but I still maintained my desire to be a tree on a rock. While the challenge of the pose is finding balance, the rock beneath my feet added a deeper challenge. To do tree pose successfully:

1. Begin in Tadasana/Mountain Pose, with feet together, firmly planted, and arms at your sides.
2. Inhale, and bend the left knee, and bring the sole of the foot to the inner right thigh. Exhale.
3. Inhale, bring the hands to the heart or over head and breathe.
4. Maintain balance with right toes pointed forward, inner arch lifted, squared hips, and focus on a focal point/dristi.
5. It also helps to imagine yourself as a strong tree with roots into the ground.

Tree pose helps to strengthen thighs, calves, back, and increases flexibility in groin and hips. This pose improves focus, balance and concentration. It also is helpful for people with flat feet.

Joyous Approach to Tree Pose

Yesterday was one of my longest days teaching yoga. With back to back sessions beginning with my amazing group class at Bamboo, 6:30 am and my last class with Yogi Beans ending at 5:30. I am so grateful to do the things I love and help people in the process. That being said my body was physically in need of a nap, a luxurious bath, an amazing massage etc. (things of that nature). The joy from this day was in the Tree pose. Tree pose is a challenging pose for me due to my low arches on my feet, so I love the chance to focus my mind in stillness. Most adults who do Yoga are fixated on balance and finding that perfect stillness. The joyous tree came at the end of the day when my Yogi Bean kids were eager to do Tree Pose for the purpose of: who can stay up the longest and who falls out the funniest! Kids have the most joyous approach to life and yoga! What a wonderful way to cap a day.