 I am pleased to present to you the first article submitted by a SaverinaScozzari.com contributor. Katie McClelland is the owner/director at De La Sol Yoga Studios and will be selecting a pose or sequence for you to try out each month. Here are some things you should know about this month's pose, Triangle Pose or Utthita Trikonasana:
Triangle Pose or Utthita Trikonasana is a beautiful pose that builds heat, stretches and strengthens the legs and increases feelings of vitality! The open, expressive shape of the pose invites you to celebrate your uniqueness and shine your light out into the world! To move into the pose safely, set up your feet at least a leg's distance apart and line up your front heel with the arch of the back foot. Place your hands on your hips and tip your hips dramatically so that one side of the pelvis is higher then the other. Think of a teenager with attitude, sticking one hip out! Now, reach out over the front leg, let your pelvis turn slightly towards the front leg, and rotate your belly button and you chest up towards the sky. Extend your bottom arm down directly in line with the shoulder and extend your other arm up in line with your face. Ensure that the sides of your waist are equally long and that your legs are engaged with your quads (thighs) pulling the kneecaps up. Turn to gave softly at the top hand and breathe slow and deep. I love this pose for building confidence and self-love. Enjoy! Things to watch out for/modifications: - Keep the waist long and the spine neutral by tipping the pelvis. Do not laterally bend at the waist. - If the stretch to the front hamstring and inner thigh is too deep, bend the front knee generously and/or place a block underneath your front hand. Do not strain or move into pain! - If looking up creates tension in your neck, look straight ahead or down at your front foot. - Modify the top arm position if there is pain in the shoulder by placing your hand behind your head with your elbow pointing straight up or place your hand on your hip. |