Trikonasana
Triangle Pose, or Trikonasana, is a foundational standing posture in yoga that stretches the legs, hips, spine, and shoulders while improving balance and stability. It creates an open, expansive shape by extending the arms and legs in opposite directions.
Key Points
- Alignment:
- Start in a wide-legged stance with your feet about 3-4 feet apart.
- Turn your front foot forward (90 degrees) and angle your back foot slightly inward (45 degrees).
- Align your front heel with the arch of your back foot.
- Extend both arms out at shoulder height, parallel to the floor.
- Engagement:
- Engage the thighs by pressing both feet firmly into the mat.
- Keep your torso long as you hinge at the front hip, reaching forward with your front arm.
- Lower your front hand to your shin, ankle, or the floor (or use a yoga block), keeping the back arm extended toward the sky.
- Focus:
- Stack your shoulders vertically, keeping your chest open and your spine lengthened.
- Keep your gaze soft, looking up at the extended hand or straight ahead for neck comfort.
- Avoid collapsing into the front side—think of lifting and lengthening the torso.
- Breath:
- Inhale to lengthen your spine.
- Exhale as you deepen into the stretch.