Tree Yoga · The original pose reference
Warrior II
See this pose in the original book ↗From the original book
The practice.
Begin with one foot close to the tree, with the toes facing the trunk. Step back 4 or 5 feet with the other leg. The back heel should be melted down, with the toes angled out. We don’t want the hips and belly button squared towards the trunk. We want them squared towards the side — perpendicular to the lead toes. Place the lead hand directly on the trunk, and extend the other arm back. Bend the lead knee and keep the back leg straight as you lower down. Utilize the tree. Press the hand on the trunk into the tree to help shift the weight back and drop more deeply into the pose. Practice for a couple of breaths on each 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