An Insight into the Biomechanics and Other Details of Vrikshāsanā, One of the Standing Yoga Āsanās

Abstract

Aim: Adopting a perfect final pose of specific yoga āsanā and obtaining maximum benefits is possible by learning the major to minor details of the āsanā including the preparations, steps and parts of the body involved, benefits, contra-indications, final pose and much more. However, understanding the specific body parts involved and how muscles, bones and joints work together to create movements and shape is through the study of Biomechanics. Anatomically, human body adapts to a specific posture of Yoga āsanā with proper sync of Bones, muscles, and joints. Studies on biomechanics of selected yoga āsanās are found sparsely any in Scientific interfaces. Therefore, with this article, we intended to give an insight on one of the standing poses named as Vrikshāsanā, known as Tree pose. For which, related information was obtained from scientific and non-scientific sources and to postulate the details of practice of Vrikshāsanā, citing the biomechanics. Methodology: Manuscripts related to Vrikshāsanā and its details including Biomechanics were identified from scientific interfaces like PubMed and Google Scholar. Books on Anatomy of Human body and Scriptures describing the steps of adopting the final pose and benefits were referred to extract details specific to the correct position of hip, muscles, and ankle joint for reaching at appropriate posture of Vrikshāsanā. The search was conducted between the month of February and September 2022. Conclusion: This review emphasizes on the importance of practice of Vrikshāsanā on enhancing the wellness of body and brain. But the benefits are obtained only when the practitioner is well aware of the right posture, higher benefits and Biomechanics of the āsanā.