Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Vertical Lat Stretch
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Begin facing the tree — about an arm’s length away. Extend one arm up and plant the hand on the trunk. Keeping the hand planted, hinge at the hip, and allow the upper body to begin to relax down towards the ground. Take several deep breaths. Maintain a long spine throughout this stretch, and practice on both sides. Enter and exit as mindfully as possible.
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