Yoga with Trees

By Jenny Garrison

In this delightful guidebook, simple illustrations accompany basic instructions for doing yoga poses with trees. The stories and teachings have been carefully chosen to help strengthen the human connection with the trees. All yoga levels, from beginner to advanced, are invited to feel a deepening relationship with themselves, the trees, the natural world, and yoga through the teachings held within these pages.

An exploration of physiology, lore, art, poetry, and spirituality about trees lead the reader to a rich new place of belonging with all of creation. This new way of being in relation to trees will bring gladness and soul-nourishing enjoyment to the young-at-heart of all ages!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781543987379

Book preview

The occasional use of Sanskrit in this book is included so the reader has a sense of the vibrational beauty of this language. Apologies are made for any errors in translation and use of this ancient language.

The publisher and author are not responsible for any specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision and are not liable for any injury or negative consequences incurred from any action or application described herein to any person reading or following the information in this book. If you are pregnant please consult with your wellness team before practicing these poses. If you have health issues, please consult with your wellness team before proceeding with the herein mentioned practices.

Copyright © 2019

ISBN 978-1-54398-736-2 (print)

ISBN 978-1-54398-737-9 (eBook)

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Photography by Bryce Anderson. Line illustrations by the author.

Cover photos courtesy of Bryce Anderson.

Published by BookBaby, Pennsauken, N.J. 08010

Dedicated to the trees~ the trees that live now and the trees that are no longer living. To Christmas trees that are harvested but not sold. To all trees who share space on this beautiful Earth with humans who don’t always get it. To the trees, I offer the ancient Hawaiian Ho’oponopono prayer of healing, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.

Contents

A Note to Readers

Introduction

Part I: To Yoke with Trees

When I am Among the Trees

By Mary Oliver

Playing among the Trees, our Friends and Relatives

Breathing, Sharing our Planet, and Learning

Symbology and Lore

Messages, Imagery, and the Trees

Clearing Energy with a Tree Branch

(Tree Branch Smudge)

Losing a Tree Friend

Sadhana

A Tree A day

(Our Daily Tree)

From a Distance

Pranyam

Breathing Practices

Core Strength

Part Two: The Poses

Trees

By Joyce Kilmer(For Mrs. Henry Mills Alden)

Choosing and Greeting Your Partner

Beginning your Practice: Centering and Breath

Standing Backbend

Standing Knee to Chest Pose

Standing Side Bends

Cactus Pose

The Standing Twist

Downward Dog Variation

Warrior III Variation

Extended Big Toe Pose

Standing Half Locust

Goddess Pose

Mountain Pose

Tree Pose

The Dancer

Krishna’s Kiss

Krishna’s Flute

Supported Chair Pose

Standing Half Moon Pose

Press Ups

Standing Cobra

Half Sun Salutation

Vinyasa

Star Fold Vinyasa

Forward Bend Bow

Child Pose

Legs up the Tree

Shavasan

A Beautiful Closing

Meditation Pose

A Mini Chair Yoga with Trees Practice

PART III: Stories and Reflections

Unlearning

Lesson II By Meister Eckhart

Reflections

Gifts and Gratitude

Beech Trees

Trees as Comforters

The German Child

Trees as Witnesses

The Ash Story-Poem

Noble Ash

By Jenny Garrison 2001

The Healing Tree of Leolyn Woods

Gratitude

Acknowledgements

Notes

Bibliography

Web Resources

Author Autobiography

Song of Jenny Wren

Index

A Note to Readers

In yoga, there is an oft quoted saying: Where attention goes, energy flows. During this year full of writing and preparing this book, my attention has been with the trees. It is as though I am always aware of them, and the energy has indeed been flowing! This has been a slow, seeping kind of energy. It has happened in such a natural way that I have barely been aware that my life and vitality were changing.

I have become more content. It is as though the trees have shared their patience and PRESENCE with my soul. I find myself more willing to be a part of moments and hours of calm relaxation. I have found new joy in ordinary tasks such as cooking, washing, and cleaning. I have noticed a welcome shift toward caring detachment in regard to the pain and problems of others. I am happier. I feel watched over. I feel nearer to God.

I wish for you the blessings that flow from relationship, engagement, and yoga with the trees. I write from a place of deep gratitude for the inspiration that led me to explore and now share Yoga with Trees.

Jenny Garrison

Introduction

"Be still my heart.

These great trees are prayers."

Rabindinath Tagore, Stray Birds

The trees chose me for this project. I humbly bow to their request. I am not a scientist or a tree expert. I am a yoga teacher. I am a student and practitioner of inner work and imagery. The trees have been my friends since childhood, as they have been for many.

When I was a little girl, one of my very first memories is about a lifeguard blowing his whistle at me while I was in a public wading pool. I was afraid. I ran up the hill to a large tree, and I huddled behind it. I began to feel safe again. My mother was not happy when she found me, but only because my absence had scared her. We sat beneath the tree together as our mutual fear dissipated.

Later, as a young girl, I would climb with my best friend into the arms of the large Maple Tree in her back yard. We would talk and play and just enjoy the company of each other and the tree, in the manner of little girls everywhere.

In my teens, there was an ancient Sycamore that stood beside the stream on the hill where my dog, Joe, would run. This tree bore witness to my journey from girl to woman and many of the initiations that accompanied that passage.

Before I married my husband, we traveled to a virgin stand of trees in northern Pennsylvania called Heart’s Content. These towering beauties rose above us as we walked among them. Our love was young then, and the trees seemed to sanction and strengthen the bond that was beginning to form in our hearts and bodies.

Our children were baptized by the Hickories that make their home on the banks of Pine Creek that runs through the canyon where we raised them.

In my adult life, I have become a Spiritualist. One of the principles of Spiritualism states, We believe that the phenomena of Nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence. This principle is sometimes shortened to We believe that God is expressed through all nature. My church is in an old Spiritualist community in New York State called Lily Dale. In Lily Dale, there are gorgeous, happy old trees. Squirrels and birds romp amongst them. An old growth forest graces the grounds. Within that forest is a stately Cucumber Magnolia Tree. Its canopy seems to reach to the heavens where it touches the hair of the other old Giants of the Woods. This is the tree that called to me and inspired me to develop Yoga with Trees.

I stood with my spine against the spine of the Magnolia. I felt it welcome my presence, and I thanked it for that, all silently. This tree became my partner in side stretches, downward dogs, balance poses, twists, and conscious breathing. I rested in shavasan on its roots.

As I walked away, I felt wonderful. I was refreshed, renewed, and alive in a lovely new way. In that moment, Yoga with Trees was started in me.

The word Yoga, in its original language of Sanskrit, has many meanings. It is derived from the Sanskrit yuj, meaning to yoke, or to unite. Translations include joining and union. This book presents many ways to yoke with life through relationship with trees… and not only trees that live, but also trees that have died yet live on in our memories, stories, and in their remains.

The practice of Yoga with Trees keeps