ETYMOLOGY: The close resemblance between the Sanskrit term TRIKONA and the Greek term TRIGONOS is striking. Thus, the translation for TRIKONASANA is ‘The Posture of the Triangle’.
HOW TO PERFORM THIS ASANA
The right side:
Start standing on your feet. Spread your feet until there is a 90-degree angle in between them. Make sure your soles are parallel.
Stretch your arm laterally, palms facing down, bend your trunk towards the right.
Lower your right hand until it reaches the right knee, and then let it slip along the tibia, and slightly turn your pelvis. The left arm is stretched up, and the shoulders are perpendicular on the ground. Maintain this position for as long as possible, breathing normally.
FOCUS ON THE RIGHT SIDE
Perceive the flow of tellurian energy coming up through the feet. They are located in the area of Manipura chakra. Perceive also the flow of cosmic energy coming in through the left hand, going down through the arm and activating the secondary center of force Chandra chakra.
When getting out of this asana, perceive the “massage” of the digestive organs.
The left side:
Start standing on your feet. Spread your feet until there is a 90-degree angle in between them. Make sure your soles are parallel.
Stretch your arm laterally, palms facing down, bend your trunk towards the left.
Lower your left hand until it reaches the left knee, let it slip along the tibia, and slightly turn your pelvis. The right arm is stretched up, and the shoulders are perpendicular on the ground. Maintain this position for as long as possible, breathing normally.
FOCUS ON THE LEFT SIDE
Perceive the flow of tellurian energy coming up through the feet. They are located in the area of Manipura chakra. Perceive also the flow of cosmic energy coming in through the right hand, going down through the arm and activating the secondary center of force Surya chakra.
When getting out of this asana, perceive the massage of the digestive organs.
FINAL FOCUS
Perceive Manipura chakra active. Secondarily, perceive the harmonious activation of Chandra and Surya chakra. On a psychic level, perceive self-confidence, increased will, courage, capacity for self-control, inner harmony.
CAUTION!
Owing to its effects on the uterus, pregnant women will practice it carefully and will cease its practice after the fifth month of pregnancy.
BENEFICIAL EFFECTS
- This asana stretches and develops the muscles of the spine.
- It corrects the lateral distortions of the spine. However, the people suffering of sciatica have to practice it carefully.
- In cases of scoliosis, it has to be performed asymmetrically, that is: two times for correction, and one times in the opposite sense.
- This asana reestablishes the mobility of the thorax. It reestablishes the breathing balance and ventilates the two lungs.
- The lateral movements of the trunk stretch and fortify the abdominal muscles as well as the muscles of the hips. The abdominal muscles are fortified and strengthened.
- This pose tones the muscles of the feet and the ankles, and it makes the hips and thighs more elastic.
- It eases the pain in the back and neck.
- It also acts efficiently in the cases of colon displacement.
- It is also a relief in cases of constipation.
- TRIKONASANA tones and stimulates the nerves situated in the lumbar area of the spine. This fact influences positively and directly all abdominal organs and especially the genital-uterine system.