Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Reverse Tabletop Pose
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Begin in a seated position, facing away from the tree. You should be about an arm’s length away from the trunk. With the knees bent and the feet down, plant the hands behind the hips. The fingers should be facing the hips, or you can angle them out if you initially lack the shoulder mobility for the full expression of this pose. Activate the muscles of the back, and lift the heart up through the chest. Drive down through the heels of the hands and feet as you press the hips up towards the sky. You can either keep the gaze forward, or you can relax the head back if that feels okay with the neck. Practice for a couple of breaths before mindfully lowering the hips back down.
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