VRKSASANA
Steps
- Stand with feet 2 inches apart.
- Focus on a point in front. While exhaling, bend the right leg and place the foot on the inside of the left thigh. The heel should be touching the perineum.
- Inhale and extend the arms up to the chest and join the palms in Namaste.
- In this position continue deep breathing pulling in the tummy muscles and expanding the spine upwards with every exhalation.
- Stay here as long as you can focusing on one point.
- Slowly exhaling bring the arms down and then the right foot down to rest.
- Continue this with the other foot.
Modifications:
- Foot can be placed either above or below the knee but should not be placed against the inner edge of the knee as this can create a bowstring effect that weakens the inner ligaments over time.
Benefits
- Strengthens thighs, calves, ankles and spine
- Stretches the groins and inner thighs, chest and shoulders
- Improves sense of balance, alertness and concentration
- Helps in bone development and proper alignment of the vertebral column as all the muscles are stretched in the same direction.
- Helps relieve premenstrual symptoms like leg and abdominal cramps
- Relieves stress and anxiety as concentration is needed for balancing body on one leg
When to Avoid
Tree pose practice should be avoided by practitioners with arthritis and/or vertigo.
