Many students today have numerous activities and obligations to fulfill. If you are one of these students, you know how difficult it may be to do your academic assignments and projects well, while still finding time for your family, friends and hobbies. Your schedule may be so frenetic that you feel overwhelmed and unable to concentrate well on your studies. There are a number of Yoga poses that will help students like yourself to increase your ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand by promoting a sense of balance, calmness and one-pointed concentration. Tree Pose is a very effective Yoga asana for promoting these qualities.
* Vrikshasana or Tree Pose
Vrikshasana is a very accessible and powerful Yoga asana for centering and grounding your attention. This is a balancing standing Yoga posture that is best practiced after warming up with a series of Sun Salutations. For instructions on how to practice Sun Salutations, please refer to a Yoga instruction manual, reputable website or learn the series from a certified Yoga instructor.
When you are warmed up, stand at the front of your mat in Mountain Pose. Feel the ground beneath you and make sure your weight is evenly distributed between your feet. With an inhale, bring your right foot up to your shin, below your knee or above your knee. Place the sole of your foot flush against one of these areas depending on your level of flexibility. Do not place your foot directly against your knee, this could cause a knee injury.
Exhale and center your balance on your left foot. With your next inhale, bring your arms over your head with your palms together. Expand your chest fully and reach for the sky as you ground fully into the earth. Find a point on the floor six to twelve inches in front of you and hold your gaze steadily on this point. This practice of dharana will help you to discipline your mind to concentrate with a one-pointed focus. It will also help you to balance in Tree Pose.
Hold this pose for three to five complete Yogic breaths. When you are ready to come out of the pose, come down slowly with your next exhale, release your right foot and place it back down on your mat next to your left foot. Pause to feel the elongation and expansion throughout your right hip, torso, shoulders and neck. When you are ready, repeat Tree Pose on the left hand side.