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A Spiritual Journey
Yoga is not just a state of being in a posture but is a form of Sadhana we involve ourselves in, which leads us toward the real aim of Yoga which is to harmonize and become one with our spiritual soul and the Universe.
Vrikshasana is a perfect balancing asana and a meditative pose in Yoga to bring us into this form of sadhana to build a connection with the Universe.
Our Yoga Teacher Training in Kerala is a brilliant opportunity for you to discover your inner balance. Here, you will receive the best yoga teacher training in an ideal learning environment from highly skilled trainers who specialize in a wide range of yoga forms.
Are you eager to enter into a calm and grounding atmosphere? The Vrikshasana pose will guide you in finding your inner balance.
The Vrikshasana Pose
A tree can be our best teacher in making us aware of and building a connection of ourselves with the earth, as it continues to stand erect in all circumstances, providing nourishment and sustenance to all living beings.
Like a mighty tree, the Vrikshasana pose gives tremendous inner and outer strength to all age groups. It blows life into all the feeble portions of the body, inducing energy and bringing light within.
The History of Vrikshasana
The Vrikshasana pose derives its name from the Sanskrit words Vriksha, which means ‘tree,’ and asana, translates to ‘pose,’ giving it another name – the ‘Tree Pose.’
The posture symbolizes a steady tree, representing strength, individuality, and calmness. A stone carving, dating back from the 7th century, found in Mahabalipuram, illustrates a figure standing on one leg, suggesting that Sadhus used to engage in tapasya or strict meditation by maintaining this balancing asana for extended periods of time.
Unlike numerous other meditative poses, in the tree pose, you are asked to keep your eyes open so that it’s easy to balance on one leg. However, it is not just a balancing asana but a great meditative pose that harmonizes our soul and body. It instills in us the virtues of a noble tree involving qualities such as forgiveness, compassion, agility, resilience, strength, diligence, equilibrium, and elegance.
Finding Balance in Vrikshasana Pose
- Arrive in the position of Tadasana.
- Relax your arms on the side of the body.
- Slowly bend your right knee and place your right foot near the root of your left thigh. The soles of your feet should be firm and flat, and the left leg should be erect.
- Breathe in and find your balance and your drishti or focus.
- With another deep breath, raise your arms overhead and bring your palms together in the Anjali Mudra.
- Fix your gaze to a distant point to maintain your balance.
- Keep your spine straight, and take long, deep breaths.
- Sustain this meditative pose for about a minute, and then slowly release your arms and legs on an exhale.
- Repeat the process with the left leg.
Things to consider
Vrikshasana is a nourishing pose that imbues within you several virtues of the tree. However, you need to keep some factors in mind before you perform it, to ensure safety and gain the maximum tree pose benefits.
- Avoid doing this pose if you have Insomnia, high blood pressure, dizziness, or migraine. Have leg or knee injuries. Swelling or pain in multiple joints.
- It is advised to practice this pose on an empty stomach or 4-6 hours after your meal, to gain maximum tree pose benefits.
- It’s best done in the morning, increasing attention and concentration as you may more easily be able to direct your energy flow appropriately in the early morning when your mind is clear and awake.
6 Incredible Tree Pose Benefits
Here are 6 incredible ways the Tree pose can benefit you:
- As you pull yourself straight gracefully to form this yoga pose, your spine strengthens, and your posture improves.
- Maintaining balance in the tree pose helps cultivate your mind-body equilibrium and build patience and poise.
- As you stand upright on a single leg, your legs, thighs, and calf muscles get toned up, building endurance, flexibility, and muscle coordination.
- Maintaining your focus while balancing in the posture improves concentration.
- As you find balance and a steady gaze in the tree pose, you feel a sense of relaxation and peace that helps alleviate stress and symptoms of depression and anxiety.
- This balancing asana makes you stand upright in a perfect posture, which is highly beneficial in healing Sciatica.
Conclusion
Gain the nourishment of becoming one with Mother Earth by rooting yourself in the Vrikshasana pose.
Explore our Yoga Teacher Training In Kerala to learn more about the tree pose and many other yoga practices in depth with the guidance from the best gurus.
Grow from the inside as you blossom from within, like a tree under the Sun, the Moon, and amidst the wind, through this balancing asana. Gain wisdom from the revered Vriksha (tree) to rise only in the upward direction. Transform yourself and let your inner beauty stretch out to hold the hands of the Universe. Allow Yoga to be your medium, your road towards higher spiritual education.
Namaste.