“Allow your attention to rest in the mere sensation of breathing.”
Tree Pose
Sanskrit: Vrksasana
How to do it
Start in Mountain Pose. Find a fixed point in front of you and stare at it to help you balance.
As you inhale, shift the weight into your left foot and lift your right foot an inch off the floor. Using your right hand, bring the foot to your shin or inner thigh. Avoid placing your foot directly on the knee.
As you exhale, ground through the standing leg and lengthen through the crown of your head. Bring your palms to touch in front of your sternum into prayer hands.
Pro tip: To play with your balance, lift your hands up toward the sky in a V-shape. Take your gaze up toward the ceiling. If you’re an experienced practitioner, you can even try closing your eyes.
The benefits
This pose helps improve concentration and your ability to balance by strengthening the arches of the feet and the outer hips.
Every time your mind wanders in thought, gently return it to the breath.
