Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Spinal Flossing
See this pose in the original bookFrom 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. With the knees bent and the feet down, reach back behind and grab on to the trunk. Next, find a side-to- side motion with the knees — moving with the breath. Exhale as you send the knees to alternate sides, and inhale as you return to center. Continue with this for several rounds of breath. You can also practice this movement with the arms by the sides.
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 lessonKeep exploring