BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Yoga How Long can you Tree Pose?

I know yoga isn't about competition, and that every one of us is different. I'm just curious, if someone just "stands" in tree pose, can they do it infinitely? Or does their leg slip, or their balance slip?

I'll have to give it a try and see how long I can last. I used to topple over immediately but now I think I can stay up a few minutes ...

My hang time varies day by day. Some days I can't seem to get that foot off the floor to save my life, other days I feel so secure I could stay there until the supporting leg gets tired, or I lose my concentration and begin to wobble.
Best of all, I have been getting better with practise, but that's the story of yoga.

I'm with Claybird. Some days I am focused and strong and able to hold tree pose for several minutes. Other days, when I am less focused I can have a hard time finding my center. The more you practice the easier and steadier the pose gets.

I can pretty much do it as long as I want to, but that one granted came easily to me. When you are a rock climber, your balance gets really tested elsewhere.

Not long, i can't balance myself

Skyhaven - keep practicing - it will get easier!

I just gave it a try and about a minute and a half in my "bent leg" gets tired and starts to slip. So I need to build up leg strength I think

I'm still trying, forget tree posing and closing my eyes i fall right over. lol
Rosie

Rosie, start out learning tree pose by having the "lifted" foot toe down alongside the planted foot just to hold the balance. Keep lifting your body up and concentrate on looking at one spot somewhere in front. Closing your eyes upsets whatever balance you may have developed. After you get a little stronger you can start lifting the foot up to your ankle. Remember, yoga is a journey and don't expect to the end all at once!

That's interesting, I've never tried doing it with my eyes closed. I would think that would be much harder! I'll give that a try later on!

Great advice Claybird. Rosie some other things you can do to find your center in tree pose:

1. think about drawing your belly button in and your tailbone down toward your heels.
2. Then think about pressing your foot into your leg and your leg back into your foot. This helps ground you and draw your energy in towards your midline.
3. Keep you shoulder blades drawing down your back.
4. And lift the crown of your head toward the sky.
5. Choose a point directly in front of you to focus your gaze and remember to breathe.

Closing your eyes is just a playful variation for those people who find doing tree pose too easy or unchallenging :-)