Day 8 #SlowIsTheNewStrong - Utthita Trikonasana
utthita = extended
trikona = three angle or triangle
Check in with @JustinWolferYogi for some useful insight into this posture! I used to find triangle pose uncomfortable; my sacroiliac joints would always become misaligned and strained. Overtime however I have come to really, truly love this pose. It feels great in my body. I've experienced great subtleties and refinements through Iyengar style classes and teachings - which stereotypically are different to the Ashtanga approaches. However - I've found that in the real details the two approaches actually compliment each other, and here I found freedom and strength in the pose.
Worth consideration - when in the pose, we're not really trying to do a side bend, arching the spine. Instead, we are trying to maintain equal length along both sides of the torso when extending sideways. Emphasise the side extension rather than going down low.
I used to encourage people to bend their knee if the pose was too strong, but now my instruction of preference is to tell them to simply lift higher up out of the pose with the torso until they're in a safe and comfy place to work 2 straight legs. My understanding of this came from the realisation (via another teacher) that if one bends their leg to compensate for the hamstring tension, then the pose essentially becomes Parsvakonasana/side angle pose - i.e. the muscles being used and lengthened change, and become more like side angle pose. Therefore in some cases lifting (humbly) higher up out of the pose a little still keeps the actions of trikonasana, whilst reducing any strain or intensity.
Would love to know your thoughts, insights, and experience! Please stay connected with my friends @FreeDiveGirl @RadhikaYoga @JustinWolferYogi + our super generous prize sponsors - @AyurBotanicals @EasternSoul @YogasanaMats @MuktiOrganics @WolvenThreads @TeeRexDoesYoga SO much goodness to be won! xx