vrksasana

this blog was born when i decided to put down on paper (er, in the digital ether) the projects that help to keep me balanced on a daily basis. on most occasions that balance is figurative. simply finding a project around my home that (when completed) gives me a sense of accomplishment and provides a tangible product for my efforts (an organized medicine cabinet, a baking adventure with bug). on other less-frequent occasions, that balance is literal. and often provided by my practice of yoga.

i've practiced yoga off and on for about five years now. and it's been long enough for me to realize that i need to keep it "on" with a more regular dedication. put simply: i love it. it provides me with a strenuous physical workout while granting me the opportunity to completely tune out the world and just exist for myself for a few moments. what a treat, and all the while building nice long, lean muscles to boot.

i've practiced prenatal yoga in a classroom setting at our local hospital, and also taken more traditional classes through a local karate studio. more recently though, i've been practicing yoga with my tivo (dutifully enlisted to record a daily program on the oxygen network). i do love taking classes, and the energy of the studio setting, but practicing with my tivo is far more practical for me at this stage. flexibility is my top priority when trying to fit exercise into our days, which are generally filled with preschool, playdates and more play time (all of which is great, but doesn't leave much alone time for mommy).

so today, on this balmy fall day, ready to kick-off a relaxing weekend spent with family and friends, i offer you my favorite yoga balance pose: vrksasana, or the tree pose. yoga always puts my head in a good place, and the tree pose in particular always leaves me feeling, well, balanced.


image from beliefnet

vrksasana (tree pose)
as described by the fine folks over at the yoga journal

what you'll need: comfortably fitting clothing, bare feet, an open space, and (optionally) a yoga mat

note: if you've never practiced yoga before and want to try this pose out, you might like to read this article, which provides more detailed explanations of the movement: vrksasana for beginners

1. stand in tadasana

2. shift your weight slightly onto the left foot, keeping the inner foot firm to the floor, and bend your right knee

3. reach down with your right hand and clasp your right ankle

4. draw your right foot up and place the sole against the inner left thigh; if possible, press the right heel into the inner left groin, toes pointing toward the floor. the center of your pelvis should be directly over the left foot

5. rest your hands on the top rim of your pelvis. make sure the pelvis is in a neutral position, with the top rim parallel to the floor

6. lengthen your tailbone toward the floor. firmly press the right foot sole against the inner thigh and resist with the outer left leg

7. press your hands together in anjali mudra

8. gaze softly at a fixed point in front of you on the floor about 4 or 5 feet away

9. stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute

10. step back to tadasana with an exhalation and repeat for the same length of time with the legs reversed

how do you find balance in your day?