Tree Pose & Food Elements for July 2019!

Long Beach, LI

Vrikshasana: 

Vriksha means "tree" in Sanskrit. The tree pose is a standing balance on one leg. The foot of the lifted leg is placed on the inner thigh of the standing leg, and both hands are held above the head. The legs represent the roots of the tree, buried underground, and the trunk of the tree begins at the trunk of the body, growing all the way up through the spine and the arms, which are the branches.

The Yogi Tree: Since ancient times, yogis have made the forest their favorite place for practice. The trees were their home, providing them with shelter and food in the form of fruits and nuts. In a broader sense, the forest refers to the world, the whole of creation, and we are a part of it.

The tree pose offers an opportunity to meditate on a tree's qualities. The tree is tolerant. It gives shade to even those who come to cut it down. The true yogi gives the fruits of spiritual wisdom as generously as trees offer flowers, fruits, wood and shade. Trees dedicate their lives to the welfare of others. This pose imbues the body, mind, and breath with the qualities of generosity, strength and balance. These are also the qualities of the 6 Metal Qian trigram that arises in the month of July. 

Include tree pose in your practice this month and contemplate the qualities it offers to us all.

See my Yoga Schedule Here!
 

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This month prepare foods that invoke the elements of earth, metal and water. This will carry the flow from summer heat to cooling water chi. Some ideas include:

• Fennel, sweet potato, beans, mushrooms, avocado, onions turnips, rice, shallots, radishes, ginger, fish, eggplant, sea vegetables, cabbage and variation of seeds.

*Since fire, earth and metal are in a trine this month, also consider practicing yin yoga poses that will open these meridians. Here a few suggestions:

Sphinx, Seal, Fish, Quarter Dog, Child's, Seated Forward Fold, Dragonfly, Dragon, and Saddle Pose. Get the chi flowing and fuel these systems with proper foods, thoughts and movement!