Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Tabletop Side Body Stretch
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Begin in tabletop position, facing towards the tree. Your head should be only a few inches away from the trunk. Take the left leg diagonally across behind you to the right — touching down with the toes, or with the inside of the foot. Then, take the left arm and reach for the trunk. Grab on to the tree, and use it as leverage for a deep side body stretch. Gently tilt the heart up. This will greatly enhance the stretch and the opening of the lateral chain. Make sure that the right hand is directly rooted under the shoulder, and maintain a steady breath. Practice on both sides — taking the right leg diagonally across to the left next, and bringing the right hand to the trunk.
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