We often rush into a pose, eager to hit that aesthetically perfect shape, then rush out again when the teacher says ‘release.’ But the real work of yoga—the strengthening work—happens during the slow, deliberate transition and the solid establishment of the foundation.
Think about the longevity of a mountain range. It isn’t defined by a single jagged peak, but by the deep, unshakable structure rooted far beneath the surface. Today, let’s explore this durable strength through Trikonasana (Triangle Pose).
This pose asks us to create an angular shape that is both wide and stable, mimicking the powerful fault lines of the Earth. If your base is wide and rooted, the entire structure can withstand the wind.
How to Forge Your Durable Triangle
- Establish the Terrain: Begin in a wide stance. Rotate your front foot toward the top of your mat and angle your back foot slightly inward. Imagine your heels pressing down into fertile earth, establishing two deeply set anchors.
- The River’s Flow: Extend both arms wide, feeling the energy flow from shoulder to fingertip. Before you shift, lengthen your torso as if you are stretching a river downstream toward the front heel.
- Find the Angle: Shift your weight and hinge at the hip, keeping the spine long. Allow your hand to land wherever it comfortably rests—shin, ankle, or floor. The focus isn’t on how low you get, but on creating two long, stable slopes across your body.
Here is the unexpected insight: the real stability test isn’t holding the pose, but the moment of recoil. When you inhale to rise, do you spring up quickly and unevenly, or do you lift with the same controlled pressure you used to descend?
Try this practical application today: After you lift out of the pose, pause in your wide-legged stance for three deep breaths before switching sides. Notice if the effort of the transition creates more heat than the effort of the hold.
The greatest strength in any posture is revealed not when you reach the peak, but when you return to the ground.