By Atul Vyas
Vata has characteristics of the elements ether and air so, it is dry, light, subtle, coarse, unsteady and clear. Substances with antagonistic characteristics normalize hyperactivity and weaken hypo-activity.
Although all three bio-energies Vata, Pitta and Kapha are important, vata is special. There is no bodily function that is not guided by vata, because pitta and kapha are considered slow or sluggish. Motion inducing power is missing in both. For this very reason, vata plays a significant role in every therapy.
Only vata can expel toxic substances from the body, dry out wounds, and stimulate healing in diseased organs. Thus, vata is the most important of the tri-doshas, for changes in it occur before all others. Bringing vata to balance restores the system.
There are many yogic poses and yogic lifestyle which help balance vata. One of them is Vrikshasana or the tree pose.
Vriksh is a sanskrit word meaning “a tree”. A trees’ stability comes from a solid base, reaching into the earth yet having flexibility to adapt to change. Balancing tree pose develops this stability and flexibility in all dimensions of the body and mind.
Technique
- Stand with feet together
- Breath in as you begin to transfer your body’s weight to the left foot
- Now bend the right knee and raise up the right foot placing it on the inside of the left leg
- Use the right hand to draw the foot higher up the left leg
- Try to find the point of balance as you activate the standing leg further
- Inhale while raising hands up slowly into prayer position.
- Hold for five seconds and then repeat it with other leg
Benefits
- Legs gets stronger and improves walking
- Balances vata by gaining physical balance
- It can prevent atheroma which can lead to coronary thrombosis
- Muscular cramps while sleeping are reduced
Note of Caution
People suffering from varicose veins, deformity of the legs and tendinitis should avoid this pose.
Atul Vyas likes to be called a “Yoga Scientist”. He is a celebrity yoga trainer and has trained several top Hollywood and Bollywood stars. He has trained for years under many eminent yoga gurus including his illustrious mother Daya Vyas, the first lady yoga guru of India.
