Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Reclined Butterfly Pose
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Start in a supine position, with the knees bent and the feet down. The head should be 1 or 2 feet away from the trunk. Bring the soles of the feet together as the knees slowly fall open to the sides. Relax the legs, and relax the entire body. Release the arms out to the sides, or rest them on the belly. You can also extend the arms overhead — grabbing on to the tree. Take several deep breaths, or even stay in this position for several minutes.
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