Yoga for beginners - part 4:
Tree pose (Vrksasana)

“Vrksa” = Tree
“Asana” = Posture

“As with many Yoga asanas, the Tree Pose gains its name from the observations by yogis of their natural environment, ie the woods and forests where they would set up small ‘guru-kul’ or Yoga ashrams deep in the heart of the Indian countryside. As the name suggests, the Tree pose has the quality of steadiness, of rootedness, while at the same time of extension and opening the body as it reaches up to the sky.
   The Tree pose helps to strengthen and tone the leg muscles, while helping to improve focus and balance. As with many of the balances, the very act of focus can be relaxing, drawing the mind away from the normal background chatter of the mind, constantly moving from worries or expectations about the future or concerns about the past, to the quiet oasis of the present moment. The pose will reveal the state of the mind very clearly. If agitated, balance will be very difficult. It will seem as though a strong wind is buffeting your Tree and the breath will move quickly and out of control. If relaxed and focussed, the balance will seem much more comfortable and easier to maintain as reflected by a quiet, smooth breathing pattern.
   There are many ways to practise the Tree, according to one’s flexibility. Here we offer several variations to choose from...”

PRECAUTION
• Avoid if you have knee problems or experience any pain in the knee area.
• Avoid or take great care if you are overweight, not to overburden the joints.
• Avoid raising the arms if you have high or low blood pressure.

The article continues to describe the method, and to give several variations of vrksasana, as well as a more advanced modification.