Week 5: Grounded Balance Yoga Sequence

This week’s poses—Mountain Pose, Standing Forward Fold, and Tree Pose—work together to cultivate balance, stability, and calm focus. Mountain Pose builds postural awareness and grounding, helping you feel steady and supported from the ground up. Standing Forward Fold gently releases tension from the neck, shoulders, and spine while calming the nervous system and encouraging introspection. Tree Pose strengthens the legs and core while improving balance and concentration, inviting both physical stability and mental clarity. Together, these poses create a sense of rooted calm, helping you feel centered, present, and resilient as you move through your day.

This asana sequence is designed for beginners.

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Breath cue: Inhale lift through the crown, exhale ground through the feet.

1. Stand tall with feet hip-width (or big toes touching, heels slightly apart—choose what feels steady).

2. Spread your toes and press all “4 corners” of each foot down: big toe mound, pinky toe mound, inner heel, outer heel.

3. Soften your knees (not locked) and feel your legs gently engage.

4. Stack your posture: hips over ankles, ribs over hips, head over ribs.

5. Relax your shoulders down and back; let your arms rest by your sides, palms facing forward or in.

6. Lengthen your spine: imagine a string lifting the crown of your head up.

7. Breathe:

   • Inhale: feel the body grow taller—lift through the crown.

   • Exhale: feel heavier through the soles—ground through the feet.

8. Stay for 5–8 slow breaths, steady and calm.

Quick tip: If you feel wobbly, widen your stance slightly.

Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)

Breath cue: Inhale halfway lift, exhale fold and soften.

1. Start in Mountain Pose.

2. Hinge at your hips (think: belly toward thighs), keeping your spine long as you begin to fold forward.

3. Let your hands reach toward the floor, shins, or thighs—bend your knees as much as you need.

4. Exhale: fully fold and soften your neck and jaw (head heavy, shoulders relaxed).

5. Inhale: Halfway lift

   • Bring hands to shins or thighs (or fingertips to the floor).

   • Lengthen your spine forward like a tabletop—neck long, gaze slightly down.

6. Exhale: Fold again

   • Re-bend knees if needed and melt into the fold (soft belly, relaxed shoulders).

7. Repeat the breath flow 2–4 cycles:

   • Inhale halfway lift → Exhale fold and soften.

Quick tip: If hamstrings feel tight, keep a generous bend in the knees so your lower back stays happy.

Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

Breath cue: Inhale to find balance, exhale to build stability.

1. Begin in Mountain Pose, standing tall with arms by your sides.

2. Shift weight into one foot, spreading the toes wide for a strong base.

3. Inhale: lengthen through the spine and lift the crown of the head.

4. Place the opposite foot on the ankle or calf (avoid the knee).
   Option: toes on the floor with heel resting at the ankle for support.

5. Square the hips forward, keeping the pelvis level.

6. Exhale: press the standing foot into the floor and gently press the lifted foot into the leg.

7. Hands at heart or arms overhead like branches, shoulders relaxed.

8. Fix your gaze on one steady point in front of you.

9. Hold for 3–5 breaths, growing tall on each inhale and rooting down on each exhale.

10. Release with control, then repeat on the other side.