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vriksasana

 
 
The Tree is a legend in all cultures. It reaches to universal heights in mythology - becoming the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge, the Cosmic Tree. And it reaches right into the roots of our individual consciousness to our very personal histories with trees. Our stories, upon reflection, can become our own myths that reveal hints of a bigger truth.

When you do the Tree pose, allow a favourite tree to arise in your mind or see which tree memories want to speak. Find out what the tree wants to tell you - about your life, about your knowledge, about your relationship to the cosmos.

the tree pose

1. Stand in the Mountain (Tadasana) feeling strong, balanced on both feet, present.

2. Shift your weight to one side, then lift up one foot a bit from the ground.

3. Allow the hip to open as you place the sole of your foot against the inside of the standing leg. Place the foot on the calf, the knee or the thigh, keeping your hips level and maintaining the upward movement through your standing leg and spine. To start, you can even keep your toes on the ground and just lift up your heel. Or stand near a wall and use your fingertips to help find your balance.

4. Bring your hands into namaste (prayer position) at the heart, holding this position and feeling into it. Then lift the arms with hands in prayer position above the head. You can also open the arms and hands out like branches reaching for the light.

5. Come out of the pose by bringing your arms back down and releasing the leg.

6. Return to the Mountain before doing the Tree on the other side.

Reflections

1. Do the Tree pose with your special tree in mind. Visualize your tree and write your story.

2. In ancient Sumerian myths, the tree is a temple, a bond between Heaven and Earth. As you do the Tree pose, reflect on being like a temple, a bond between Heaven and Earth.

3. Stand in the Tree pose thinking about your roots. Ask yourself: Where have my roots spread? Where do they get their nourishment?

This material is provided courtesy of ascent magazine. Click here to read the full article here.

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