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Vrksasana or Tree pose

Tree Pose

During February we are discussing a few Yoga poses that have that help the flexibility and stability of the ankles. Today we discuss Vrksasana or Tree Pose.

Tree pose can help improve your balance, and it strengthens your thighs, calves, ankles and spine. It’s also good for stretching the inner thighs, chest and shoulders. Plus it can relieve sciatica, as well as reduce negative effects of flat feet.

While there are a number of physical benefits, Tree Pose also improves concentration. As a student, you can immediately notice how your balance improves when you focus your eyes on a single point (Drishti). If your eyes or your mind are wandering, chances are you won’t be able to balance.

it’s inevitable that you may wobble or lose balance. Trees are made to sway in the wind. So if you fall, you just try again!

  • Start in Mountain Pose, or Tadasana, with your feet hip distance apart. Spread your toes like roots into the earth and gently shift the weight side to side.
  • Bend your right knee and bring the sole of the right foot onto the left thigh, the heel in the inner left groin. Engage your left quad and resist the foot with the thigh.
  • Place your hands on your hips and lengthen your tailbone to the floor.
  • Set your gaze on a Drishti a few feet in front of you, either on the floor for easier balance or straight ahead.
  • Feel free to bring your hands together in Anjali Mudra (palms together in front of your heart), or raise them overhead.

If this variation is too challenging, try placing your foot on the calf instead of the thigh. Or keep your toes on the floor and just place the heel above your ankle. When you’re ready, lower your foot back down with control. Try the other side. It might be different than the first side.

Tree Post Variation 1
Tree Post Variation 1
Tree Post Variation 2
Tree Post Variation 2
Tree Post Variation 3
Tree Post Variation 3

Credit Mindbodygreen.com

Keep following our blog for more discussions about Yoga, Pilates, BARRE and Flexicore.

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Welcome

Yoga Pose

Welcome to our blog.

Firstly, welcome to our first blog post. We are really excited to share with you MORE of what the Studio Durham House has to offer.
For those visiting us for the first time, THE STUDIO at Durham House Chiropractic Clinic in Farnham is a large, bespoke studio offering the highest quality core, pilates, yoga, stretch and balance classes. THE STUDIO environment is clean, warm, bright and inviting.
In our blog we will be discussing all things studio. Including Yoga, Pilates, BARRE concept and our very own flexicore. In addition, if there is anything you would like us to talk about, please email thestudio@durhamhousechiropractic.co.uk.

First things first.

So, first things first. Earlier this week on our Facebook page we discussed some Yoga poses that we believe are perfect to help flexibility and stability of the ankles, which i might add, is our main topic during February. Therefore if you do follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you will notice lots of information about feet and ankles from both our Studio and our Clinic.

Yoga for the ankles part 1.

Today we discuss Virasana or Hero pose in more detail.
 
To complete the pose, Kneel on the floor (use a folded blanket or bolster to wedge between your calves and thighs if necessary), with your thighs perpendicular to the floor, and touch your inner knees together. Slide your feet apart, slightly wider than your hips, with the tops of the feet flat on the floor. Angle your big toes slightly in toward each other and press the top of each foot evenly on the floor.
 
Exhale and sit back halfway, with your torso leaning slightly forward. Wedge your thumbs into the backs of your knees and draw the skin and flesh of the calf muscles toward the heels. Then sit down between your feet.
If your buttocks don’t comfortably rest on the floor, raise them on a block or thick book placed between the feet. Make sure both sitting bones are evenly supported.
 
Allow a thumb’s-width space between the inner heels and the outer hips. Turn your thighs inward and press the heads of the thigh bones into the floor with the bases of your palms. Then lay your hands in your lap, one on the other, palms up, or on your thighs, palms down.
 
Firm your shoulder blades against the back ribs and lift the top of your sternum like a proud warrior. Widen the collarbones and release the shoulder blades away from the ears. Lengthen the tailbone into the floor to anchor the back torso.
 
At first stay in this pose from 30 seconds to 1 minute. Gradually extend your stay up to 5 minutes. To come out, press your hands against the floor and lift your buttocks up, slightly higher than the heels. Cross your ankles underneath your buttocks, sit back over the feet and onto the floor, then stretch your legs out in front of you. It may feel good to bounce your knees up and down a few times on the floor.
 
Beginner’s Tip – Often the inner top feet press more heavily into the floor than the outer top feet. Press the bases of your palms along the outer edges of the feet and gently push the pinky-toe sides of the feet to the floor. If your ankles are painful in this pose, roll up a towel and place it underneath them before you sit back.

The benefits are endless.

The benefits of this pose include
  • stretching the thighs, knees, and ankles.
  • Strengthening the arches.
  • Relieving the symptoms of menopause.
  • Reducing swelling of the legs during pregnancy (through second trimester) and is therapeutic for high blood pressure and asthma.
Caution – If you have heart problems or a knee/ankle injury please check before attempting this pose.
 
If you are looking for some variations then clasp your hands, extend your arms forward (perpendicular to your torso and parallel to the floor), turn the palms away from your torso (so the thumbs point to the floor), then raise the arms on an inhalation perpendicular to the floor, with the palms facing the ceiling. Stretch actively through the bases of the index fingers.
 
Credit – Yoga Journal
Photo credit – Vic Williams
Keep coming back every month where we will be discussing all things Studio.
See you soon.
The Studio Durham House Team.