Tree Pose - Vrikshasana

I was reading how trees grow up through their branches and down through their roots into the earth. It reminded me that being grounded and rooted is important. It reminded me of my favorite yoga pose.
As I teach yoga, students often wonder what I enjoy the most. The answer is Vrikshasana, Tree Pose. I love this balancing pose. For some reason my mind clears and I can stand holding the posture for a long time. There is something about balancing on one leg that steady's the mind. One of my yoga mentors, Dolly from India, told me to do a yoga pose I loved once a day. Tree pose is that posture.
If you're interested in trying this pose, here are the steps...
Tree Pose (Vrikshaasana) Instruction:
1 - Stand with the feet together and the arms by your sides.
2 - Bend the right leg at the knee, raise the right leg and bring the sole of the right foot as high up the inside of the left thigh as possible.
3 - Balancing on the left foot, raise both arms over the head keeping the elbows unbent and joining the palms together. The arms can open wide, palms facing forward like a tree, or the arms can come behind your back clasping fingers together rolling shoulders back and down. Have liberty to do whatever arm position feels best.
4 - Hold the posture while breathing gently through the nostrils for 10 complete breaths or hold the pose as long as you can. Try for 1 minute or even more.
5 - Lower the arms and right leg and return to the Tadasana (Mountain Pose), standing position with feet together and arms at the sides. Pause for a few moments and repeat on the opposite leg.

The website Santosha.com describes the following about Tree Pose:
"The challenge of the vrikshaasana is maintaining balance on one leg. Poor balance is often the result of a restless mind or distracted attention. Regular practice of this posture will help focus the mind and cultivate concentration.
When practicing vrikshaasana it may help to imagine or picture a tree in the mind and apply the following technique: Imagine that the foot you are balanced on is the root of the tree and the leg is the trunk. Continue by imagining the head and outstretched arms as the branches and leaves of the tree. You may be unsteady for a while and find the body swaying back and forth, but don't break the concentration. Like a tree bending in the wind and yet remaining upright, the body can maintain balance.
Aim to achieve the "rootedness" and firmness of a tree. Regular practice of the vrikshaasana improves concentration, balance and coordination. Because the weight of the entire body is balanced on one foot, the muscles of that leg are strengthened and toned as well." - www.santosha.com

Go ahead, give Tree Pose a try. I hope you enjoy it :-)