Tree Pose

About This Class

In this short but thorough Tree Pose tutorial, Bryan Kest walks students through every layer of Vrksasana using a live demonstration. Starting from a comfortable standing position with an emphasis on relaxed, non-strained breathing, he guides the right knee into the chest before placing the sole of the foot on the inner left thigh as high as is comfortable. Modifications are explicitly offered — the foot can slide lower on the standing leg for those who need it. Key alignment cues include pressing the palms together in prayer position to activate the chest muscles, lifting the sternum to avoid collapsing into the lower back, lengthening the back of the neck by slightly dropping the chin, and gently spreading the standing hip and bent knee away from each other for stability. Bryan introduces the concept of Drishti — a fixed focal point on the floor roughly three feet ahead — as a practical tool for improving balance and stability. The overall tone is encouraging, accessible, and instructive, making it ideal for beginners or anyone looking to refine their standing balance practice.