
There is an ancient wisdom whispered through the rustling of leaves, a story of stillness and resilience, a reminder that true strength is not found in rigidity but in the ability to bend without breaking. This is the story of the tree pose, Vrikshasana—a posture of grounding, growth, and the unwavering balance between earth and sky.
The Cosmic Tree: Bridging Heaven and Earth
Hindu mythology speaks of Sage Vishvamitra and King Trishanku, whose story mirrors the essence of Vrikshasana. Trishanku, a mortal king, wished to ascend to heaven in his physical body. The gods refused, casting him down. But the powerful Sage Vishvamitra, defiant against cosmic order, held Trishanku suspended between worlds—not fully in heaven, not fully on earth. Like a tree, he remained rooted in one realm while reaching toward the divine.
When we stand in Vrikshasana, we embody this balance: one foot grounded, the other rising. It is a posture of stillness within movement, a reminder that we, too, exist between the material and the spiritual, forever growing toward something higher.
The Tapasya of the Sages: Standing Like a Tree
Throughout mythology, sages and yogis have performed tapasya (deep meditation and penance) by standing on one leg for years, unwavering as trees. Legends tell of Sage Markandeya, who meditated in tree-like stillness, absorbed in the vastness of existence. The tree became a living symbol of discipline and patience—a reminder that true power lies not in aggression, but in endurance.
The Taoist Wisdom: Strength Lies in Flexibility
The Taoists, too, understood the wisdom of trees. They say, “A tree’s strength lies in its flexibility.” The rigid oak may snap in a storm, but the supple willow bends and survives. Vrikshasana is a lesson in this same truth: we must be strong, but not stiff; rooted, but not immovable.
To practice this pose is to embrace both steadiness and adaptability. It is a reminder that balance is not about perfection, but about constant, conscious adjustment—just as a tree sways in the wind yet never falls.
Becoming the Tree
The next time you step into Vrikshasana, feel the myth and wisdom flow through you. Imagine yourself as Vishvamitra, holding balance between the earthly and the celestial. Feel the presence of ancient sages, their one-legged stance a testament to devotion. And remember the Taoist lesson: sway, but do not break.
In this pose, you are the tree—rooted in strength, rising with grace, bending with wisdom.
