As a Tree

As a tree: 

I think the asana that calls most for my surrender is vrksasana, tree pose, that once my own roots are established in connection to the ground, my arms reaching upwards as branches, and then what's left for me to do seems to be the hardest part of all - completely surrendering to the posture. This is my moment of poise, balancing, if everything is locked in place, I'm truly standing as a tree, I feel as if I could stay in this pose forever, or at least the length of several breaths dedicated to its hold. 

if only I surrender.

and that's vital, as it's not a difficult pose to enter into, but once established it calls for breath and mind to ease into a steady calm, letting go of anything that gives cause for me to sway. Vrksasana reminds me to trust my roots, my earth base, and that from this connection I am free to reach upwards, lengthening my spine, standing as a tree, strong and poised through the sweep of life's winds. 

it's a powerful posture, elegant, 

and I approach it each time as if I'm an absolute beginner. 

there's always a need to re-establish my roots, if I reach my arms upwards to soon than I am sure to fall or begin to sway early on, with my body acting as a cue for breath and mind to follow. I can only surrender once the roots of this asana are firmly planted and my arms are branched in balance. It's the perfect metaphor for me to live right now, showing that my strength is ground-based, home, and that this is from where I'm meant to lift myself, reaching as a connection between earth and air. 

having faith in the familiarity of what's known,

 as well that which must always remain unseen. 

and with this,

poised, connected as a tree...

I let go.

~

Peace, Eric