Tree pose or Vrikshasana is a standing balance on one leg. It represents stability and grounding and is one of my favourite poses. Here is a little bit about the pose.

Tree pose is a one legged balance. The foot of the lifted leg comes to the inner thigh, calf or ankle of the standing leg. The hands above the head, either together in a high prayer, or wide like branches.

It enhances stability and strengthens the ankles, calves and thighs, as well as stretching muscles in the legs, groin and chest. The secret with this pose is to focus your drishti, or gaze, on a fixed point and to relax into the pose.

The legs represent the roots of the tree, buried underground, and the trunk of the tree begins at the trunk of the body, growing all the way up through the spine and arms, which are the branches.

The pose also helps us to stabilise our emotions and is a reminder to concentrate and focus. It represents grounding, whilst being open to knew things in the world.

It is one of my favourite poses, as it is a challenge for all levels of experience, and to me, is a reminder that we more than just at one with nature; we are nature. 

For further reading, I recommend ‘Myths of the Asanas: The Stories at the Heart of the Yoga Tradition’ by Alanna Kaivalya and  Arjuna van der Kooij, which inspired this post, and has taught me so much about the meaning behind poses.