I noticed that many people in my surroundings have ditched the idea of New Year’s Resolutions, and have chosen one word to focus on the coming year instead. This method is called The Word of the Year. Have you heard of it?

I don’t know about you but I love the idea of choosing a Word of the Year vs. New Year’s Resolution because it helps bring intention, focus, and clarity to what we want to create in our lives.

I have chosen the word BALANCE in the broad sense of the word, bring my life back in balance; balance between work, my family and social life, but also balance within myself, to find more calm and inner peace…

The tree pose, Vrksasana, in Yoga represents my word. It establishes strength and balance, and helps me feel centered, steady and grounded.

Vrksasana teaches you to simultaneously press down and feel rooted as you reach tall like the branches of a mighty tree. In this pose, you find a sense of groundedness through the strength of your standing leg. Bringing the sole of your opposite foot to your shin or thigh challenges your balance. Continuously engage your ankles, legs, and core and notice what tiny movements your body might make to help you stay balanced.

Benefits: Tree Pose is a strengthening posture that can help build confidence. This pose can improve your posture and counteract the effects of prolonged sitting.

Other Tree Pose perks:

• Boosts energy
• Improves balance
• Strengthens your core
• Stretches around your shoulders and your back (latissimus dorsi)

Whenever I feel the need for more balance in my life, be reminded of my Word of the Year, I will return to the tree pose, to help me focus on my intention to feel centered and grounded.

Written by your SISter in Wellness Neel