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  • My Yoga Journey
  • Connect
  • Privacy Policy & Disclosure
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
    • My Yoga Journey
    • About Me
  • Virtual Yoga Classes
  • Connect
    • Press
      • Media Kit
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    • Privacy Policy & Disclosure

20-minute tree pose sequence for beginners

December 11, 2020 //  by Di Hickman//  16 Comments

It’s often said that life is about balance. In yoga, we practice balance postures to enable us to learn that balance is fluid, and sometimes fleeting. Not only can our balance be different right to left but also day to day, hour to hour, and minute by minute. This tree pose sequence is a test of balance.

20 minute tree pose sequence for beginners

This 20-minute class progresses through tree pose variations from beginner to advanced. With each repetition through the pose you choose to decide to stay with the modification that works for you and your balance today. Not sure about tree pose? Check out this post for tips and tricks!

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Warm Up

After grounding ourselves into the practice bend the knees placing the feet on the floor and begin moving through arch and flatten followed by windshield wipers. These two movements are ones I do almost every class because they are just great for mobilizing the spine and hips.

arch - flatten, and windshield wiper exercises

For a specific movement to warm up, next we perform crunches with external rotation of the hip. By placing one foot across the opposite knee we create a similar action we need for tree pose later. The progression is to draw the knees up towards the chest.

crunches with external rotation of the hip

After repeating the crunch on the opposite side, bring the knees to the chest, sweep the legs around and come onto all fours. Another movement I do most practices is cat cow. It just feels great.

cat & cow exercise, downward facing dog

No class is complete without downward-facing dog so lift the hips and peddle through the feet in downward dog. This mobilizes the ankles and feet. Settle for a few breaths, then step to the front on the mat to forward fold before rising to standing.

Tree Pose Sequence

This 20-minute tree pose sequence plays with the variations of the pose. The first variation is to have the heel rest on the inside of the opposite ankle. Upper body variations are either hands at the hips, heart or reaching overhead.

tree modified, with arms at heart and arms lifted

Further variations in this tree pose sequence are to lift the foot up to the inside edge of the opposite calf. Then the most challenging is to bring the foot towards the opposite inner thigh. For both of these variations you have the option to use a wall or chair for support if balance is an issue.

three tree pose modifications

You’ll perform the pose three times on each side, and each time progressing from the modification before moving on to the more challenging option. This allows you to decide to stay where you feel the challenge. Once repeated three times it’s back down to the floor to cool down and relax.

Questions

  • How is your balance?
  • Which variation of tree pose do you practice?
  • Is there anything you find challenging about tree?
Previous Post: «cossack squat pose How often should I do yoga? Can I do yoga everyday?
Next Post: Bow Pose Tutorial for beginners & modifications full bow pose»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa

    December 22, 2020 at 9:45 am

    This is perfect for me! I’m getting back into yoga and can use this as a starter course.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 2:07 pm

      Totally! I have more beginner classes on YouTube also!

      Reply
  2. Gladys Nava

    December 16, 2020 at 4:48 am

    Oh wow! I am really glad to know all this. Such an important post!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:58 pm

      Thanks

      Reply
  3. Cindy Ingalls

    December 15, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    This is great for us older gals. I’m going to bookmark the page and try this workout!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:57 pm

      Definitely! We need more balance training as we age!

      Reply
  4. Alvern

    December 15, 2020 at 2:46 am

    This is interesting. I never heard of the tree pose. However, when I think about it having that name makes sense since it is Yoga right.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      Grounded through the feet as roots, trunk is your legs, and the arms are the branches, the fingers the leaves.

      Reply
  5. Cristina Petrini

    December 15, 2020 at 1:17 am

    Thank you because I love yoga, but I’m certainly more than a beginner. By doing everything by myself, without a course, I wanted to understand how to start …

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:56 pm

      You are welcome! If you have questions please don’t hesistate to ask!

      Reply
  6. Candace Hampton

    December 14, 2020 at 3:38 pm

    I enjoyed this step by step break down of this exercise. It is very relaxing! My balance is pretty good and doing something like this is on the easier side of the spectrum being that I work out actively. Thank you for the awesome post!

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      Oh there are ways to make tree pose harder! Let me know if you need the advanced versions!

      Reply
  7. Tara Pittman

    December 14, 2020 at 11:56 am

    I loved that you showed me how to do a tree pose. I am doing a fitness challenge and that is on the tasks.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:55 pm

      Oh that’s so cool! Nice! How’s the challenge going?

      Reply
  8. Amber Myers

    December 14, 2020 at 11:28 am

    These are some great poses. I know tons of people who love to do Yoga.

    Reply
    • Di Hickman

      January 7, 2021 at 1:54 pm

      That’s cos it’s a great way to move your body while improving your mental state.

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Di. A yoga teacher with over 20 years experience in the health and wellness industry. My mission is to give you information so you can be fitter, healthier, stress-free and happier (no, seriously).

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