Try Triangle Pose!

Triangle pose, or Uttitha Trikonasa (oo-TEE-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna) means extended three angle or triangle pose. This pose kind of sneaks up on you. By looking at it, you wouldn’t expect the complexity and challenge. Triangle pose is very dynamic in that it moves the body in many different directions.

HOW TO DO TRIANGLE POSE

To get into Triangle pose, start at the top of your mat with feet about hip width apart. You can go ahead and put your ruler and drawing compass away. This is Yoga Digest! Step your right foot back about your leg’s distance, give or take. The entire body will be facing the side of your mat. Turn your right toes toward the back of your mat, left toes might need to be adjusted slightly as you make this pivot. With hips and heart facing the long side of the mat extend your arms out to a t-shape and begin to reach the right finger tips out past the toes, then hinge at the hips bringing the right hand down toward the right leg: shin, ankle, maybe the mat. You can also use a block to prop the hand on. Take a few deep breaths in and out of the nose. We recommend 3-5. Inhale to lift up out of the pose, turn toward the left side back to the front of the mat and switch sides. You can gaze down toward the bottom hand or upward toward the top hand for more challenge. You can also try reaching the bottom hand forward to really engage the core muscles!

WHY TO DO TRIANGLE POSE

Triangle pose:

• Strengthens the muscles in the thighs, hips, and back
• Stimulates the organs of the torso, improving metabolism.
• Triangle pose stretches the spine, chest, shoulders, calves, hamstrings, groins and hips.
• It is known to be therapeutic for anxiety, flat feet, infertility, osteoporosis, and even sciatica
• The twisting action also acts as a massage to our internal organs, helping them to remain in top function and maintain their ability to rid toxins

It’s National Yoga Month, so celebrate by trying triangle pose at home, or giving it some extra attention in your next yoga class!

Photo – shutterstock.com