Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Standing Elbow Circles
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Start an arm’s length away from the trunk, with the side body facing the tree. Root down through both feet, and lengthen up through the crown of the head. Maintain strong posture as you plant the inside hand directly on the trunk. Extend the outside arm out to the side. With the motion centered at the elbow joint, begin to make slow and smooth circles with the outside arm. Breathe deeply, and be as mindful as possible with this movement. Practice in both directions, and on both sides. You can also practice with the outside arm relaxed 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