Utthita Trikonasana or Triangle Pose

Sanskrit: Utthita Trikonasana                                    Western Term: Triangle Pose

Origin of Word

Utthita = extended; Trikona = triangle

Type of Asana: standing pose

How To:

1.     Stand in Tadasana. With a deep inhalation jump feet 3 1/12 to 4 feet apart. As you jump, stretch the arms to the sides at a shoulder level palms down. Keep all ten toes facing forward, straighten the legs stretching the shins, knees, and thighs up.

2.     Keep the pelvis open, bring your front foot facing forward and the back foot facing in. Reach the front fingertips forward as the back hip reaches back.

3.     Bring the front hand toward the front leg, placing the hand on the front shin, block, or on the floor. Reach the top hand up as you extend and twist the chest and gaze up toward the ceiling.

4.     Hold for 5 to 7 breaths. Before taking the pose on the opposite leg.

Body Points:

*Front body revolving up toward the sky

*Keep both arms in line with one another

*Front inner leg revolving outward

Yes, triangle pose relieves flatulence. Please aim away from yoga teacher's face.

 Emphasized Body Parts: According to master yogi B.K.S. Iyengar : improves flexibility of the spine, corrects alignment of the shoulders, relieves backaches, gastritis, indigestion, acidity, flatulence (yes, he did say it helps relieve flatulence...just hopefully not in your yoga teacher's face); reduces stiffness of the neck 

Mental Achievements: gives a sense of direction

An aid for beginners: kramas or levels of a pose give us yogis with various levels options. For any given pose, there are various levels of difficulty. This krama that I offer is for beginners to the pose:

-bring your hand to a block outside of the front leg or to the shin

For Advanced Yogis:

-Bring your front hand on to the floor on the outside of the front leg. Challenge yourself by taking a half bind with the top arm and wrapping it around the back body to touch the front thigh.

Chakra: 2^nd chakra, six-petaled orange lotus, svadhisthana

-this chakra helps to get in touch with your sensuality

-Seed sound or bija mantra: “vam”

Ancient Sanskirt Proverb: “Hunger, thirst, and desire are like a man’s wives. They do not desert a man throughout his life. Of them, desire is the most faithful. Others leave at last temporarily after eating and drinking.”

Element: water

Favorite Yoga Tune of the Week: this tune is high energized, just like triangle pose. Blast it while in triangle pose and get into the flow. 

It’s December and the winter solstice is coming upon us. With this change of weather, root fruits and veggies bring a grounding presence to fill your belly during the winter cold season. Here is a delicious and health dish to keep you warm and satiated:

Ingredients: 1 pound halved potatoes, 1/2 large rutabaga peeled and cubed, 1 large sweet potato peeled and cubed, 2 large parsnips peeled and cubed, 2 large carrots peeled and cubed, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons sweet red chili sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons of onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder, 1 tablespoon of steak seasoning, & 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees 

2. Toss potatoes, rutabaga, sweet potato, parsnips, and carrots in a bowl with olive oil and chili sauce until the veggies are coated. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, steak seasoning, and pepper. Toss veggies in sauce until evenly coated in a 9X13 inch roasting pan. 

3. Roast veggies in preheated oven for 20 mins, stir, return to oven and continue to cook veggies for another 20 or so minutes until veggies are tender. 

Sources:

http://tulaa7.com/chakra2-orange.html. Viewed 12/5/12.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trikonasana#Benefits. Viewed 12/7/12.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/absolutely-delicious-baked-root-vegetables/. 12/7/12.