One of my favorite yoga poses since I started practicing yoga has always been tree pose, or Vrksasana in Sanskrit.
Tree Pose has so many benefits.
Physical Benefits:
- It strengthens your gluteal muscles, thighs, and ankles.
- It also gently stretches your shoulders, back, and thighs.
But, there is so much more. Because of it’s positive impact on your nervous system, there are many Physiological Benefits:
- Tree Pose can be energizing by boosting your energy and combatting fatigue.
- It can help calm your mind and relieve anxiety as you breathe into the pose.
- It can bring a sense of confidence and empowerment.
That’s why I love doing tree pose. It helps me feel more energized and brings about a feeling of pure joy as I lift my heart and arms to the sky. I also feel more grounded as I root my foot into the earth in order to create a steady place for the rest of my body to rise from.
So, next time you need a little boost in your day, perhaps you’ll try standing in tree pose, allowing your own body and heart to shine…

To do tree pose:
- Stand with your feet hip distance apart, with your hands on your hips.
- Find a steady, unmoving focal point to look at in front of you and gaze at it.
- Move your weight into your left foot.
- Kick-stand your right toes on the ground with your right heel resting above your left ankle. You can stay right here, this is tree pose.
- If you’d like to take it deeper, bring your right foot to your calf (make sure not to press your foot into your knee – it should be resting below the knee).
- If you’d like to take it a little deeper, use your right hand to help bring your right foot to rest on your inner left thigh. Once again, make certain not to press your foot into your knee.
- Once you feel steady, bring your hands to your heart or lift them towards the sky.
- Allow your chest to lift and open as you invite in a sense of power and freedom.
- Stay here for a few breathes, and then switch to the other side.
Notice how you feel during and after the pose. Do you feel more energized, stronger, more balanced, joyful?
May you have peace within,
Julia