Written by Dr. Sanjana V.B Bhms,dbrm,cdn

Founder & medical director of siahmsr wellness.in

All rights reserved with siahmsr digital healthcare[siahmsr wellness]

Reviewed by SIAHMSR medical team.

Vrikshasana  - Tree pose

   It is one of the very few standing poses in medieval hatha yoga; it is a balancing yoga for body and mind.

 Vrikshasana is derived from the two Sanskrit words “ Vriksha”means tree and “Asana” mean posture. Vrikshasan  is a meditative posture which integrates our body, mind and breath.

  The pose is entered from Tadasana and one knee is bent and the foot of that leg placed on the inner thigh of the standing leg. Later in this yoga pose the hands are held above the head, pointed upward unclasped, or clasped together in anjali mudra.

Health benefits

·       Helps to build up balance of body &mind

·       This yoga pose may strengthen the legs, arms and shoulders.

·       It can relieve back pain & sciatica.

·       It may help to relieve stress

·       It can strengthen the ligaments of the ankle and feet.

·       It can rectify posture related problems.

    This yoga may help to improve your memory and cognition also.

How to do vrikshasana?

·       Begin with standing straight with arms on the side of the body.

·       Now Bend your right knee and place it on the inner side of the left thigh just above the left knee.

·       Try to maintain the balance of the body in standing position with the entire weight of the body rests on the left leg.

·       Maintain your balance with spine and chest straight. Now take a deep breath and begin to raise both the hands above the head. Bring the hands together, palms touching each other, in the prayer pose or Namaste pose [Anjali mudra]. now look forward to a distant object with straight spine.

·       Keep taking in long deep breaths. With each exhalation, relax the body with a sense of calmness and joy.

·       With slow exhalation, gently bring down your hands from the sides. You may gently release the right leg. Now you are back to your standing posture as in the beginning.

·       Repeat this pose with the other leg. That is raise the left leg off the ground and place on the right thigh. Repeat all the procedures again.

Cautions &contraindications This yoga pose should not be practiced by people having diseases such as migraine, insomnia, low or high blood pressure.

Research study results of tree pose

A pilot study[3] published in International Journal of Development Research shows that  after 30 minute's  practice of vrikshasana neurocognition index, visual memory, complex attention, cognitive flexibility, executive function, social acuity and simple attentions were increased whereas; verbal memory, psychomotor speed, reaction time, processing speed and motor speed were decreased. That means vrikshasana improves your memory and cognition and working ability and concentration to some extent.

References

1.    https://www.yogicwayoflife.com/vrikshasana-the-tree-pose/

2.    https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/yoga/yoga-poses/tree-pose-vrikshasana

1.    https://www.journalijdr.com/immediate-practice-effect-vrikshasana-neurocognitive-components-pilot-study