Is there a yoga pose that will help me feel more balanced?
The yoga pose known as the tree is perfect for spring because it represents growth, balance and rootedness. In this pose you can imagine your feet being like the roots of a tree and your arms like the branches. Here are the instructions for this balancing pose.
1. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, with your weight evenly on both feet.
2. Inhale as you shift your weight onto your left leg. Exhale and bend your right knee up, rotating it out to the side as you place the sole of your right foot flat against the inside of your left leg with the toes pointing down. To get the foot higher, hold your ankle with your right hand and move your foot up. Press the heel in against the leg. Make sure not to put pressure on the left knee.
3. Keeping your left leg straight, maintain your balance by focusing on a stationary object, the wall or the floor.
4. Bring hands together in a prayer position in the centre of your chest. Breathe deeply.
5. Once your balance is steady and you have your point of focus, inhale as you move your arms above your head, keeping palms together. Bring the arms close to the sides of your head as you try to straighten your elbows while keeping shoulders down. Don't worry if you sway a little -- trees sway.
6. After holding the pose for a few breaths, exhale as you lower your arms and foot.
7. Repeat the pose on the other side.
Tree pose strengthens the thighs, calves, ankles and spine. It stretches the chest, shoulders and groin and inner thigh muscles and improves our sense of balance.
New to yoga? Click here to read our guide to getting started.
Alison Finney is a certified hatha and kundalini yoga teacher in Ottawa. She is registered with the Yoga Alliance and the International Kundalini Yoga Teachers Association and is the founder of PranaShanti, a health and yoga resource. For more information, visit www.pranashanti.com.
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