Tree pose

Tree pose or Vrikshasana ( ) is a balancing asana. It is one of the very few standing poses in medieval hatha yoga, and remains popular in modern yoga as exercise. The pose has been called iconic of modern yoga; it is often featured in yoga magazines, and practised in public displays such as for the International Day of Yoga.

Tree pose or Vrikshasana ( ) is a balancing asana. It is one of the very few standing poses in medieval hatha yoga, and remains popular in modern yoga as exercise. The pose has been called iconic of modern yoga; it is often featured in yoga magazines, and practised in public displays such as for the International Day of Yoga. File:Ganga Mahabalipuram2.jpg|Rock relief at Mahabalipuram seems to show Vrikshasana at top left. File:The Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju performing Yoga, on the occasion of the 3rd International Day of Yoga – 2017, in Gangtok, Sikkim on June 21, 2017 (2).jpg|The Indian Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, in a public yoga session on the 3rd International Day of Yoga in Gangtok, Sikkim, 21 June 2017 File:USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) 140720-N-CS564-302 (14711440211).jpg|A US Navy yoga display on the flight deck of USS George H.W. Bush, using Vrikshasana and Natarajasana, 2014 ==Variations== In Bikram Yoga, Tree pose (which it calls "Tadasana") has one leg folded in half lotus and the hands together over the chest in prayer position. It is followed by bending the straight leg into a squatting position (called Toe Stand or "Padangushtasana" in Bikram Yoga) with the heel raised and the thigh resting on the calf and heel, the other leg remaining in half lotus. The pose may be modified according to the practitioner's ability to balance. The hands may be held apart, either straight up or out at an angle, or lowered into prayer position in front of the chest. Or, one heel can be raised and placed against the shin of the standing leg, if necessary keeping the toes on the ground. Another option is to stand beside a wall and place one hand on it. Alternatively, the pose can be practised reclining on the floor, if need be with a block under the bent knee. File:Vrksasana.jpg|A group practising outdoors File:Breath yoga with Shaymaa.jpg|Variant with one leg in half lotus File:Padangushtasana, Heinz Grill 1992 (cropped).jpg|Heinz Grill in Padangushtasana, Toe Stand

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