| Some days a yoga practice is more focused, | | | | and the inside knee. You can increase your steadiness |
| balanced, and centered. You stand stronger and | | | | by making a slight adjustment to the placement of |
| remain more grounded throughout the sequences. | | | | your foot. Moving it just a little can stop the wobbles. |
| Other days can be less steady and more wobbly, | | | | 3. Breathe in deeply while raising the two hands |
| constantly struggling to find your balance with each | | | | towards the ceiling. Elongate the spine and lift your |
| yoga position. The tree pose happens to be one of | | | | head away from your shoulders focusing on your |
| those positions that can give a clear indication if you | | | | vertical line. |
| are going to have a strong practice or a wobbly one. It | | | | If attempting the tree pose and find that you just can't |
| can appear as one of the simplest yoga positions but | | | | seem to find your balance, then simply straighten your |
| can be extremely challenging. Fortunately there are | | | | bent knee so you again have two feet on the floor. |
| techniques and strategies to help stabilize your body | | | | Always opt for caution and safety. You can then |
| through this position. | | | | either try again or not. Sometimes the second time can |
| When starting to do the tree pose find a vertical line | | | | prove to be a very balanced tree pose. |
| about six feet away from you that you can fix your | | | | Practicing the tree pose consistently will restore |
| eyes on. Balance yourself firmly on one leg. Bend the | | | | balance and equilibrium to the body by coordinating the |
| knee of the other leg and place the foot on the inside | | | | mind with the body. It also increases hip flexibility and |
| of the opposite thigh. Bring your hands together in front | | | | makes the pelvis more limber. One of the biggest |
| of your chest to assist with your beginning balance. | | | | benefits is the gain in personal confidence each time |
| Once you feel steady on your one leg, then lift the two | | | | you successfully achieve the balance and stability of |
| hands to above your head and straighten your arms | | | | this empowering yoga position. There can be |
| as if trying to touch the ceiling all while focusing your | | | | shakiness for beginners until your ankle stabilizer |
| eyes on your vertical line. Stand firmly without wobbling | | | | muscles become stronger and you find balance in your |
| or swaying for as long as possible, breath deeply and | | | | body. Fortunately with practice and perseverance the |
| slowly. Release your arms back to your side and bring | | | | steadiness will happen more and more. |
| the foot back to the floor. Repeat with the other leg. | | | | Whenever I practice the tree pose I concentrate on |
| Subtle strategies that will increase your steadfastness | | | | only one of the muscles or body areas involved in this |
| during the tree pose: | | | | position. By putting my attention on either the ankle |
| | | | stabilizer muscles, lower back, hips, pelvis, core, neck, or |
| 1. Use a stripe on the wall, a doorway molding, a pole, | | | | shoulders, the rest of the body relaxes and eases into |
| any straight vertical line as your focal point instead of a | | | | the position with more lightness and flexibility and |
| spot. When moving the hands from in front of the | | | | therefore more success. |
| body to above the head your line of vision can shift | | | | Practice yoga to improve balance, get more energy, |
| ever so slightly so with a linear focus your eyes can | | | | relieve tension and increase strength. If you are serious |
| adjust without having to shift your balance. | | | | about improving your health and appearance then the |
| 2. Adjust the lifted foot between your high inner thigh | | | | next move is up to you. |