Yoga: Tree Pose

yoga: Tree Pose

Benefits

The slimming principle of Tree Pose involves:

• Exercising various joints in the legs, strengthening the muscles in the thighs and calves, and improving muscle imbalances to create longer and more toned legs.

• Stretching the entire body, correcting poor habits of slouching, and enhancing balance and focus.

• Building stability and confidence in the standing leg, while opening up the hips and shoulders to improve overall posture.

Step-by-Step Guide

1 Stand with your legs straight and slightly apart, keeping your back straight and your hands resting naturally at your sides.

2 Bend your left knee and place your left foot on the inner side of your right thigh. Shift your weight to your right foot, pressing the right foot firmly into the ground to maintain balance.

Tips for Practicing

Try to open the raised leg outward so that it aligns with your body's plane, while grounding the standing leg to maintain balance and minimize swaying.

3 Raise both arms overhead, palms pressed together in a prayer position with fingers pointing towards the sky.

Switch Legs and Repeat

4 Extend your arms upward, expand your chest forward, and visualize your arms as tree branches continuously growing upward. Hold the pose for 30 seconds, then slowly lower your arms and legs. Switch to the other side and repeat the pose.

Lower Difficulty↓↓

If you find it challenging to place one foot on the inner thigh of the other leg, you can rest the sole of one foot against the inner knee of the opposite leg as an easier variation.