Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Handstand
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Begin in a forward fold position, facing away from the tree. You may have to play around with the starting position — either moving closer to or farther away from the trunk. Plant the hands on the ground about shoulder-width apart. Often times, people place the hands too far apart. This does not help, and actually makes it harder because of the poor alignment. The fingers should be spread out and almost gripping the ground. However, be mindful with the thumbs. After spreading the fingers out, bring the thumbs back closer to the pointer fingers. With the core active and strong, begin to walk the feet up the tree. Keeping one foot on the trunk, extend the other leg up. Practice for a couple of breaths, and then switch the legs. Exit in reverse order, as mindfully as you can. If you do find yourself falling out of the pose, open to the side you are falling to in order to prevent a tough fall. This way, you can easily land on the feet.
Original book text by Alex Julian. Line wrapping and page breaks have been normalized for reading on the web. Personal accounts and energetic interpretations remain part of the original text.
Make the practice fit you.
This is a reference entry, not a required step in a beginner course. Use a comfortable range, keep breathing naturally, and stop if a movement hurts. Inversions and suspended exercises need appropriate instruction and equipment; a tree is not a certified anchor.
Explore the gentle introductory lesson →Keep exploring