Utthita Trikonasana is a yoga posture, also known as Extended Triangle Pose. It is a standing pose that strengthens the legs and stretches the hips, groin, hamstrings, and spine. The body forms a triangle shape with the legs, with one hand on the floor and the other arm extended upward. It is a common posture in many yoga sequences and is considered to be intermediate in difficulty.
Utthita Trikonasana, also known as Extended Triangle Pose, is a standing yoga posture that stretches the legs, hips, and sides of the torso while strengthening the legs and core. To enter the pose, stand at the top of your mat with your feet about 3-4 feet apart. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees and your left foot in slightly. Reach your right hand down to your ankle or the floor outside of your right foot, and extend your left arm up towards the ceiling. Keep your hips facing forward and your gaze up at your left hand. Hold the pose for several deep breaths before releasing and repeating on the other side.
Utthita Trikonasana is considered an intermediate level yoga posture, as it requires a certain degree of flexibility and balance. The pose is known to improve balance, strengthen the legs, and stretch the hips, groins, hamstrings, and calves. It also stretches the spine, chest, shoulders and open the chest, helps to relieve stress and tension in the neck, shoulders and back, improves digestion and regulates blood circulation. It is important to maintain proper alignment while in the pose, by keeping the front knee directly above the ankle and the back leg straight and engaged. The chest should be open and the gaze should be up towards the top hand. It is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, headaches, or insomnia. It is also not recommended for people with a knee injury, as the pose can put a lot of pressure on the knee joint. If you have any concerns, it is best to consult with a qualified yoga teacher before practicing Utthita Trikonasana.
Which props use for Utthita Trikonasana ?
Utthita Trikonasana can be modified with props to make the pose more accessible for students who are new to yoga or have limited flexibility. Some props that can be used for this pose include:
- Blocks: Placing a block under the hand on the extended side can help to reduce the amount of reach required and make the pose more comfortable for the shoulder and chest.
- A strap: Placing a strap around the extended foot and holding on to the strap with the same side hand can help to reduce the amount of reach required and make the pose more comfortable for the shoulder and chest.
- A wall: Placing the back hand on the wall can help to reduce the amount of balance required in the pose. It is important to use props correctly and with the guidance of a teacher to avoid injury.
How to perform the pose Utthita Trikonasana correctly
Utthita Trikonasana, also known as Triangle Pose, is a standing yoga pose that helps to strengthen the legs and open up the hips, chest, and shoulders. Here are a few tips to help you perform the pose correctly:
- Start in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) and step your feet about 3-4 feet apart. Turn your right foot out 90 degrees and your left foot in slightly.
- Extend your arms out to the sides at shoulder height, with your palms facing down.
- As you inhale, reach forward with your right hand and place it on the ground or on a block. Keep your left arm extended towards the sky.
- As you exhale, bring your left hand down to your left leg. Your left hand can be resting on your ankle, shin, or knee.
- Tilt your head and look up towards your left hand. Keep your left hip facing forward.
- Hold the pose for 5-8 breaths. To release the pose, inhale and raise your torso up, then exhale and return to Tadasana.
- Repeat the pose on the other side.
Remember to keep your core engaged and your breath steady throughout the pose. It’s important to not to over-arch your lower back or force your body into the pose. Listen to your body and don’t push past your limits.
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Utthita Parsvakonasana is a standing yoga posture that involves stretching the muscles of the legs, hips, and back. It is also known as Extended Side Angle Pose. The posture is achieved by standing on one leg, and then bending the opposite knee and reaching down to the floor with the hand on the same side as the bent knee. The other arm is extended up towards the sky. This posture helps to increase strength and flexibility in the legs, hips, and spine, and can also help to improve balance and focus.
Utthita Parsvakonasana, or Extended Side Angle Pose, is a powerful standing yoga posture that can help to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the legs, hips, and back, as well as improve balance and focus.
To perform Utthita Parsvakonasana, you will begin by standing in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) with your feet together. Then step your left foot back about 3-4 feet, and turn it out 90 degrees so that your toes are pointing to the side. Bend your right knee and bring your right hand down to the floor beside your right foot. Reach your left arm up towards the sky, and turn your gaze up towards your left hand.
In this posture, it’s important to keep your front knee in line with your ankle and engage your thigh muscles to protect your knee. Also, press the back heel down to the floor and engage the back leg muscles to achieve a strong stance.
Utthita Parsvakonasana is a great posture for stretching the muscles of the legs, hips, and back, as well as for strengthening the legs and core. It can also help to improve balance and focus, and can be a great way to prepare for more advanced postures. As always, it’s important to practice with proper form and alignment to avoid injury, and to listen to your body and respect its limitations.
Utthita Parsvakonasana tips
Here are some tips to help you perform Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose) correctly and safely:
- Start in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) with your feet together, and then step your left foot back about 3-4 feet. Turn your left foot out 90 degrees so that your toes are pointing to the side.
- Bend your right knee, and bring your right hand down to the floor beside your right foot. Make sure that your knee is in line with your ankle, and engage your thigh muscles to protect your knee.
- Reach your left arm up towards the sky, and turn your gaze up towards your left hand. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your chest open.
- Press your back heel down to the floor and engage the muscles of your back leg to create a strong and stable stance.
- Keep your core engaged, and breathe deeply and steadily throughout the posture.
- To come out of the pose, straighten your front leg, and bring your feet together in Tadasana.
- Repeat the posture on the other side.
- It’s also important to listen to your body and respect its limitations. Only go as deep as you can while maintaining proper form and alignment to avoid injury.
- Try to work on this pose with a wall or with a chair for support to help you to balance and maintain the proper alignment of your knee, foot and leg.
- As you become more comfortable in the pose, you can explore variations such as bringing your back hand to your hip or placing it on your thigh or ankle.