Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Tabletop Same-Side Balance Pose
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Start in tabletop position, facing the tree. The head should be about 2 feet away, but you may need to adjust depending on the length of your arms. Keep the body as square as possible to the ground for the entire time, as opposed to tilting up and to the side. Fully extend either arm forward, and plant the hand directly on the tree. Then, extend the same-side leg back — pressing through the heel. Practice for a couple of breaths, and then do the same thing on the other side.
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