Who Doesn't LOVE Utthita Trikonasana - Extended Triangle Pose ? | iHanuman

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Who Doesn't LOVE Utthita Trikonasana - Extended Triangle Pose ?

Listen to the Pronunciation of Utthita Trikonasana. Courtesy of the Online Sanskrit Pronunciation Guide.
[audio:http://www.ihanuman.com/media/audio/Sanskrit/Asanas/utthitatrikonasana.mp3]

yoga silhouette (trikonasana)

One of the poses that tends to be a staple pose in my daily yoga practice is Uttitha Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose. Why? This pose is like Downward Facing Dog in that its gives a forward bend, a back bend, a twist AND a side stretch. About the only asana it does not replicate is an inversion. And it's the side stretch thant enlivens every aspect of my being - physical, emotional and spiritual. I could spend hours in this pose trying to get more length in the sides of my body, particularly the lower torso.

Lately, I practice this pose with the help of my dear friend the wall which allows me to keep BOTH of my shoulder blades evenly against it as I inhale, extend, exhale and lower down. Try it. If I am being completely honest with myself, some days I can barely get my lower hand to a block. I usually pause and place my hand on my shin and with each inhale lengthen the torso and draw the sternum up towards the sky and with each exhale take the shoulder blades back against the wall and down the spinal column.

The wall behind the back body gives us a great measuring stick of where we are in space. Once I find the length in the spine with my shoulder blades evenly on the wall, I can begin to access the back bend inherent in Trikonasana. The spine begins its upward opening spiral towards the ceiling, vertebrae by vertebrae, from the base of the sacrum to the top of the head. Trikonasana even becomes a magnificent twist. SO, what is not to love? But don't take my word for it. Practice along to this video demonstration with Senior Iyengar Yoga Teacher, John Schumacher.

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