What we can learn from trees.
When I was 18 years old, I packed up my purple Dodge Neon and I headed west for Humboldt County, California to attend Humboldt State University, where I would eventually receive my Bachelors of Arts in Religious Studies.
My advisor said, “People are going to ask what you’ll do with a Religious Studies degree. Tell them you’ll pray for a job.” 🤣🤦♀️🤷♀️
Humboldt County is home to some of the planet's oldest, largest trees (and many gorilla farming weed operations, but I won’t get into it 😂).
It was there that I discovered the majesty of trees. Trees so big that you can’t see to the top of them without laying your whole body on the ground to look up.
Here’s a picture of me on my way to college. The obligatory Humboldt County Drive-Thru Tree tourist experience.
In this week’s episode of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga with Kari, I offer you a Tree Pose practice. It’s 8 minutes long and we focus on one single, solid pose.
Baptiste Power Vinyasa Flow Yoga is a dynamic and challenging style of yoga that emphasizes strength, flexibility, and mindfulness, making it a perfect complement to the grounding and transformative qualities of the Tree Pose practice in this week's episode.
Most of the time in a yoga class, we’re moving from pose to pose, sometimes rather quickly.
In this practice, you’re invited to slow down and ground down like a tree.
It’s a grounding practice, almost a standing meditation.
This could be a great little practice to start or end the day. Or maybe a way to break up a work block, and get out of your chair.
What principles can a tree teach you about yoga?
- Roots—Just as trees need deep roots to stand tall and withstand the elements, we too need a strong foundation.
- Steadiness— Trees embody the quality of steadfastness, standing tall and firm even in the face of adversity.
- Flexibility— Despite their strength and stability, trees are also flexible, bending and swaying with the wind and the changing seasons.
- Connection— Trees remind us of our deep connection to the natural world, and the importance of honoring and nurturing that connection.
- Growth— Finally, trees teach us about the power of growth and transformation.
This Week's Episode
What would it feel like to pick one of these qualities and bring it into your yoga practice today?
FREERENTAL
I have 75+ videos in the library for you to choose from, each with different themes.
If you have any questions about the video library or are ready to join me for a live class, please feel free to reach out.
Enjoy the throwback pic of Baby Kari from 2005!
With love,
~Kari
