Tree yoga

Did you know you could heighten your yogic experience by understanding trees? Tree Yoga, by Satya Singh and Fred Hageneder, explains how

Dedicated followers of yoga know that there has always been a strong connection between their philosophy and the world of trees.

Many point out that it was no coincidence the Buddha became enlightened while sitting under a bodhi tree and, according to Kundalini Yoga guru Satya Singh, 'yoga that is practised under or near a tree is made more powerful by the aura of that tree.'

In their new book, Singh and Fred Hageneder, co-founder of the Friends of the Trees organisation, highlight the spiritual significance of 12 species of tree alongside suggested meditations and exercises for each. They firmly believe that 'every species of tree embodies particular qualities and energies, and has its own voice.'

'Practise yoga under an oak, for example, and absorb the power and determination that it radiates, thus becoming more reliable and steadfast yourself,' they explain. 'Or go under a beech tree to elevate your focus and clarity of mind.'

They continue: 'Our initial idea with tree yoga is to first decide which exercises you want to do, and then go outside to find a tree whose energies will support the intention behind the exercises you have chosen. If possible, practise them under, or at least nearby, the tree that you find.'

If that is not possible, particularly in winter, the duo suggest you can do the exercises at home and visualise the type of tree that you want to work with, adding: 'Imagination can sometimes create the same effects as reality.'