Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Reclined Hip Circles
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Begin in a supine position, facing away from the tree. The head should be about a foot away from the trunk. Reach behind you and grab on to the tree. Keeping the back relaxed down and the spine neutral, start to make circles with the hips. The movement should be as fluid as possible — as if you were under the water. Practice for a couple of breaths, and then reverse directions. You can also practice this move with the arms by the sides, or with the hands directly on the knees.
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