This blog discusses The Survivor Tree as an example of surviving under unimaginable circumstances and the power of love, resiliency, and strength in moving from simple surviving to thriving. How can we learn to become more resilient? Can yoga teach us not only recovery but also self-discovery? This is not the picture of the Survivor Tree on this page. Please go to the link to see it.
Recently, a friend shared about an amazing Callery pear tree known as The Survivor Tree. Now, this tree became know as The Survivor Tree after enduring the terrorist attacks from September 11th at the World Trade Center. Here’s the link: https://www.911memorial.org/visit/memorial/survivor-tree
A summary from the link says that ,” In October 2001, a severely damaged tree was discovered at Ground Zero, with snapped roots and burned and broken branches. The tree was removed from the rubble and placed in the care of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. After its recovery and rehabilitation, the tree was returned to the Memorial in 2010. New, smooth limbs extended from the gnarled stumps, creating a visible demarcation between the tree’s past and present. Today, the tree stands as a living reminder of resilience, survival, and rebirth. “ Upon further research, I learned that this tree was planted in the 1970’s. It transformed from a tiny seed to healthy tree to a charred and mangled form and now has “bounced back” in full health to bloom again every spring. Isn’t that amazing?!!
How could something that endured major trauma and destruction not only survive but also move into a level of thriving?
One ingredient to this recipe was love and care from others. The tree wouldn’t have made the comeback on it’s own. Note to self: Sometimes we have to ask for help. We need to feel seen, safe, and heard in order to flourish.
With the right nourishment, the tree’s mangled form became stronger. From a yoga perspective, this would be an example of prana (vital life force) beginning to increase in the system. Yoga Therapy deals in the system of prana. How do we increase prana when we are feeling weak, fatigued, “broken” even? Approaches are different with each individual and the practices given are tailored to meet the individual’s priorities.
From surviving to thriving…the tree comes into full blossom every spring. Ingredient: purpose. This tree seems to understand at it’s “roots”, it has purpose. That purpose is to blossom. Many pictures on the web show people standing around and enjoying the tree during it’s blossoming season. This looks like connection to me! Beautiful! Both the people and the plant are exchanging inspiration.
My mentor, Chase Bossart has taught me that yoga can be a place of self-discovery rather than just recovery. He is so right! From my observation and experience, I feel (myself included) that recovery is what leads us to that first yoga class. We can have traumas, feel disconnected to our self and others, lack purpose, have aches and pains, be exhausted, etc. We can even feel “broken” like the tree’s mangled roots and charred limbs. Yoga teaches us that we are whole, no matter what! With time, the right practices, good teachers, patience, self-care and compassion, and dedication, slowly we begin to rebuild. We rebuild on a multidimensional level:
anatomically - muscles, bones, joints (we strengthen and become more fluid)
physiologically - inner systems and organs (ex. improve digestion/stress levels)
psychologically - balance our emotions
spiritually = connect to our purpose and essence (atman shakti = the power of the true self)
We can not only survive but learn to thrive by stepping into our power and purpose. I’ve written this before but it never grows old to me and that is this quote by my teacher, Gary Kraftsow. “We practice to deepen our self awareness, establish ourselves in the present, and set a direction for our future.” Yoga has the been the tool or vehicle for me to move from simply surviving to thriving in my life.
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