Name and Translation

English Name: Tree Pose
Sanskrit Name: Vrksasana (vrik-SHAHS-anna) "Vrksa= Tree"

Steps to Get In and Out of Vrksasana

1- Stand in Tadasana
2- While balancing on one foot, place the bottom of the other foot on the inner thigh of the balancing leg
3- Press hands together and hold them in front of the heart center or reach arms up towards the sky, directly above head with palms facing each other
4- Hold the pose
5- To exit Vrksasana, simply come back to Tadasana

Actions Involved in Vrksasana

- Strong connection in Tadasana (good foundation/ toes spread)
- Sole of foot pressing into the side of the thigh
- Arms reaching up towards the sky
- Palms facing each other (contracts triceps)

Benefits

- Improves balance
- Strengthens leg muscles (calves, thighs)
- Straightens spine

Awareness

- This pose is difficult for me because my sense of balance is not so great. Because I have to focus so much on keeping my balance during the posture, my feelings are not as calm as they should be. But I do feel my spine stretching when I reach my arms above my head, and I feel my thigh muscles contract. Also, when I turn my palms towards each other more, my arms begin to hurt (if I hold them long enough).

This is me doing Vrksasana "Tree Pose" at Ala Moana Beach.

















http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/496
















References:
www.yogajournal.com/poses/496
www.yoga.com/ydc/enlighten/enlighten_document.asp?ID=351&section=9&cat=0
http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/yoga-practice/tree-yoga-pose.asp