Holy Fig Tree Pose - Ashwanasana
Contents
Holy Fig Tree Pose or Ashwanasana (ahsh-wahn-AH-sah-nah) is an asymmetric balancing yoga pose suitable for beginners. Some consider it to be a variation of Vrikshasana or tree pose where the yogi stands on one leg, the other leg back, one arm up, and the other out. The body spreads wide like a fig tree and is stretched in three different planes while keeping on one-foot stay balanced.
Beginner’s level pose has mental and emotional benefits as well as physical benefits as well as improves one’s sense of balance in space. It promotes static awareness and the opening and stretching of the body wide are the key aspects of this standing-balancing pose.
Pose Detail
- By Type: Balancing Yoga Poses, Hip Opening Yoga Poses, Shoulder Opening Yoga Poses, Strengthening Yoga Poses
- Difficulty: Beginners
- Body Position: Standing Yoga Poses
Step-by-Step Instructions
Benefits and Contraindications
Improves respiration and circulation
Stretches and strengthens the lower back
Improves balance
Boosts energy
Improves proprioception (perception of body in space)
Hip, ankle, or knee joints, feet, arms, and shoulders injury
Migraine
Vertigo
Pregnancy
Photo poses in different angles
Modifications, Props and Tips
- Take your time. As with any balancing pose, it’s often easier to come into the pose slowly and with awareness. If you enter the pose quickly, you are more likely to lose your balance, which makes it more difficult to re-gain your balance once it’s been lost.
- For Balance Difficulties – You can use a chair or a wall to support yourself and regain balance.
