Often a change of seasons can bring forth a sense of instability and imbalance as we find ourselves experiencing different circumstances. Rather than reacting with agitation and resistance, finding ways to respond that strengthen our sense of groundedness and balance comfort a disturbed mind.
Stability and balance require focused concentration as is evident in Vrksasana (Tree Pose). As soon as we attempt to stand on one foot, our brain is challenged to focus on only one thing otherwise distraction prevails, and we lose our balance. Like meditation’s single-pointed focus, Vrksasana enhances our powers of concentration, ultimately balancing and stabilizing our nervous system. We are left feeling calm and stress-free.
Discover your capacity to find calm abiding and clear seeing in this meditative pose. It may better suit you to use a wall for support as you seek to balance steadiness and ease in Vrksasana. Utilize the three Yoga Actions below to enable your learning. Click on the audio file if you prefer verbal instructions.
Yoga Action (Annamaya Kosha):
– Press the 4 corners of the Left foot (big toe mound, little toe mound, inner and outer heels) into the mat.
– Bend the Right knee and press the heel of your Right foot into your Left inner trochanter while pressing the L inner trochanter into your Right heel. Balance this two-directional pressure and feel yourself balancing on your inner trochanter.
Yoga Action (Pranamaya Kosha):
– INHALE into the sternal notch and down the inner breast bone to the Xyphoid Process, fill the front, back & sides of the thoracic cavity (middle chest & lungs).
– EXHALE from the Xyphoid Process down the inner lower abdomen to the pubic bone, releasing the air from the pelvic cavity as the lower abdominals (between navel and pubic bone) move back toward the spine.
Yoga Action (Manomaya Kosha):
– rest in the pose by silently telling your brain “Relax the outer hip and balance on my inner trochanter.”
NOTE: It may take more than one pose before you awaken these yoga actions or areas in your body and begin to feel the arising sensations and releases. In that case, apply the three yoga actions to the following poses –
HASTA PADANGUSTHASANA I, II & III
PRASARITA PADOTTANASANA
GARUDASANA
UTTANASANA
For more yoga actions and teachings, click here. Namaste.
