Yoga: transform body and mind physically, mentally and spiritually

This yoga pose is somewhat similar to the one in the previous session.

Extended Triangle Pose

Extended Triangle Pose is the quintessential standing pose in many styles of yoga.

(oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna) utthita = extended trikona = three angle or triangle

Extended Triangle Pose: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Stand in Tadasana. With an exhalation, step or lightly jump your feet 3 1/2 to 4 feet apart. Raise your arms parallel to the floor and reach them actively out to the sides, shoulder blades wide, palms down.

Step 2

Turn your left foot in slightly to the right and your right foot out to the right 90 degrees. Align the right heel with the left heel. Firm your thighs and turn your right thigh outward, so that the center of the right knee cap is in line with the center of the right ankle.

Step 3

Exhale and extend your torso to the right directly over the plane of the right leg, bending from the hip joint, not the waist. Anchor this movement by strengthening the left leg and pressing the outer heel firmly to the floor. Rotate the torso to the left, keeping the two sides equally long. Let the left hip come slightly forward and lengthen the tailbone toward the back heel.

Step 4

Rest your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right foot, whatever is possible without distorting the sides of the torso. Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling, in line with the tops of your shoulders. Keep your head in a neutral position or turn it to the left, eyes gazing softly at the left thumb.

Step 5

Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up, strongly pressing the back heel into the floor and reaching the top arm toward the ceiling. Reverse the feet and repeat for the same length of time to the left.

READ ALSO: Yoga: emphasize mind, body and soul

Pose Information

Sanskrit Name

Utthita Trikonasana

Pose Level: 1

 Contraindications and Cautions

Diarrhea

Headache

Low blood pressure

Heart Condition: Practice against a wall. Keep the top arm on the hip.

High blood pressure: Turn the head to gaze downward in the final pose.

Neck problems: Don’t turn your head to look upward; continue looking straight ahead and keep both sides of the neck evenly long.

Modifications and Props

If it isn’t possible to comfortably touch the floor with the bottom hand or fingertips, support the palm on a block.

Deepen the Pose

For more experienced students, align the front heel with the back foot arch.

Preparatory Poses

Tadasana

Vrksasana

Follow-up Poses

Standing poses, seated forward bends, or twists

Beginner’s Tip

Brace your back heel or the back of your torso against a wall if you feel unsteady in the pose.

Benefits

Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees, and ankles

Stretches the hips, groins, hamstrings, and calves; shoulders, chest, and spine

Stimulates the abdominal organs

Helps relieve stress

Improves digestion

Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause

Relieves backache, especially through second trimester of pregnancy

Therapeutic for anxiety, flat feet, infertility, neck pain, osteoporosis, and sciatica

 Partnering

A partner can help you learn how to move into this pose properly. Have your partner stand in front of your forward foot, facing you. Inhale the forward arm up, parallel to the floor. Your partner can grasp your wrist and wedge his/her big toe into the forward hip crease. As you exhale, have your partner pull on your arm and push into your hip crease, stretching the underside of your torso.

Variations

Instead of stretching the top arm toward the ceiling, stretch it over the back of the top ear, parallel to the floor.