Utkatasana, the chair, is not a simple, gentle asana like Vrksasana - the tree - but a direct, intense position. The name already gives this away: in Utkatasana, the yogi appears to be sitting in an imaginary chair - and the face often looks unhappily strained, as Utkatasana demands a lot of strength from the legs, back and ankles.

Vrksasana, the tree, is a simple asana that strengthens the body while focussing on balance. Vrksasana is an ideal position to find your centre and improve your sense of balance.