07/27/2025
*Tree pose*: have you heard the yoga alignment cue to avoid putting your foot on your knee in this pose??
This comes up just about every time I post about tree pose! As in this recent comment from someone:
“The one incorrect thing I don’t tolerate in tree pose is putting the leg on the knee! Putting weight on articulations especially when they are not bent is a no go for me 😓😅”
Here’s how I responded to this commenter:
“I know that’s a widespread claim in the yoga world, but it’s actually outdated and not supported by what we know about injury mechanisms! It’s fine to place the foot on the knee, the shin, or the thigh in tree pose. Wherever works is all good! ✅”
(BTW: We apply *more* lateral load to our knee in *other* yoga poses (helllooo side plank??) and don’t ever worry about it – and the same goes for movements in daily life!)
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Have you heard this yoga alignment rule about tree pose?
Have you ever given this cue yourself? Do you still give this cue today? If not, why did you change your mind about it?
➡️ P.S. I thoroughly cover why this cue is biomechanical B.S. in this blog post if you’re interested! https://jennirawlingsblog.com/blog/no-foot-on-the-knee-in-tree-pose-questioning-the-cue
