Turning People into Trees
5 questions I’d ask myself if I was a tree
This week I taught my yoga class, The Wave, for the first time since becoming a mother. I was nervous beforehand and worried about all sorts of un-zen issues: I’m not flexible enough; I’m not strong enough; I haven’t practiced enough. But it felt wonderful to be back. The class is a fun opportunity for students to observe and investigate their psycho-physical state of being, release stress and soften. One of my favourite moments is when we all stand in ‘tree pose’. After moving and shaking it feels empowering to stand quietly, embodying a tree.
Last weekend was a Jewish holiday called Tu B’Shevat, known as the ‘New Year for Trees’. In Israel it is about now that almond trees emerge from their winter sleep and begin to bloom. It is custom to plant a sapling and attune to the returning sunlight and change in the seasons from winter to spring.
I’ve always loved Ram Dass’s quote about trees:
‘When you go out into the woods, and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.
The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying ‘You are too this, or I’m too this.’ That judgment mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.’
Since it is the New Year for trees I thought I would imagine myself in tree pose and reflect on the passing year by asking the following questions:
Where did I plant my roots and were they firmly grounded? How did I give back to the soil that sustained me?
Did I grow higher and higher reaching up towards the sun?
Did I yield gently to the wind and accept the passing storms without breaking or snapping?
Did I provide shelter and joy to young saplings that live in my shade?
Did I offer my fruits as healthy and honest nourishment to those who came to enjoy them?
