Have You Ever Practiced Vrikshasana?

When I saw this pattern, I couldn’t unsee it.

Let me explain.

This is something I used to relate to, and I keep seeing it with clients too.

I could be doing a lot one week and then, a few days later, find myself not wanting to lift a finger, as if I couldn’t find the motivation.

Slowly, I started realizing it was a cycle. It was burnout. My system would shut down.

What I labelled as low motivation, or questioned as, “Why can’t I feel motivated?”, became explanations like: maybe it’s too hot, maybe it’s too cold, maybe it’s PMS. But underneath all of that, it was often an imbalance.

I keep coming back to yoga because it doesn’t work any other way.

You can try this. When the balance feels off in your week, see if you can hold Vrikshasana (Tree Pose) for a minute. I’d love to know what you notice.

And if you are able to stay in the pose, it may simply mean that some part of you is still trying to create balance, even amidst the chaos.

I would do too much, and then be empty.

And then something else would happen. I would become critical of myself.

Looking back, I can see how easily I slipped into what Transactional Analysis calls the Critical Parent state.

The voice that says:

“Why can’t you just get on with it? You were doing so well.”

What helped wasn’t pushing harder. It was coming back to a more balanced Adult state.

The sane voice. The one that sounds like a good friend saying:

“I’m so glad you’re my friend. I’m proud of you. Look at everything you’ve managed in the last six months. I’ve learnt so much from watching how you show up. Can we acknowledge that before we decide you’re failing?”

That voice isn’t focused on performance. It’s focused on perspective. On noticing. On acknowledging. On giving yourself credit before demanding more from yourself.

Usually, we do the opposite.

When we most need kindness, we avoid it.

When we most need rest, we criticize ourselves.

When we most need perspective, we struggle to remember even one thing we can acknowledge ourselves for.

When I notice this pattern in clients, I ask,

“What has your system been trying to tell you?”

Because sometimes what looks like a lack of motivation is actually a need for balance.

Once I saw this pattern, I couldn’t unsee it.

Now, when my body signals that it needs to slow down, I listen. Not by shutting everything down. Just by doing a little less. Breathing a little slower. Being a little gentler with myself. I noticed my gut getting better.

I keep my yoga mat in plain sight and within reach. So that day, I stood on the mat and surrendered.

And guess what?

Vrikshasana became possible!

I’d love to know what you think.