Parivritta Trikonasana

In Sanskrit, Parivrtta means to turn around and trikona means three angles. Asana means pose or posture in Sanskrit. Thus the name of this pose, Parivritta Trikonasana, translates to Revolved Triangle Pose in English.

The Posture

I practice Parivritta Trikonsana in the quietest room in my house that has a lookout view on my backyard. My backyard is a serene and calm place that brings me tranquility.

Technique

1. Begin standing in Tadasana and jump your legs about three feet apart. Stretch your arms to the sides so they are fully extended and parallel to the floor.
2. Turn the front right foot 90 degrees to the right so that it is aligned with the line between your arms. Turn your rear left foot in 60 degrees to the right. Align the feet and the arms so a line from the center of the right foot bisects the left foot at the arch and is under your arms.
3. Make sure your legs are straight.
4. While keeping the outside of the rear foot in solid contact with the ground, rotate the rear leg’s hip forward until the hips are facing forward and a line between both outer hip bones is perpendicular with the line between your feet.   
5. Rotate the inner rear leg backwards and the outer rear leg forwards.
6. Move the inner thighs towards each other.
7. While rotating the pelvis also rotate the upper torso and reposition the arms so your left arm extends forward and your right arm extends backwards.  
8. Bend over the forward leg and simultaneously rotating the upper torso to bring the left arm down and the right arm up.  Make sure the hips are still deeply rotated by moving the rear leg’s hip forward, the front leg’s hip backwards and the inner thighs together as you descend and rotate your upper torso.
9. You left hand should come to the outside of the right foot as the right arm extends straight up towards the sky.  

• Throughout keep the spine extended.
•  Avoid the tendency to round your spine making your upper right side ribs convex and the lower left side ribs concave in the pose.
• Reach for your ankle of the forward leg with your left hand while maintaining a firm connection between the outside of your rear leg and the floor.
• Notice the twisting and extension of each segment of your spine from your tailbone through your neck to your head.

Physical and Therapeutic Benefits

• Improves sense of balance  
• Stretches the hips and spine 
•  Strengthens and stretches the legs 
• Strengthens the ankles, feet and hips 
• Opens the chest to improve breathing 
• Increases blood flow to lower spine
• Relieves mild back pain 
• Stimulates blood flow through pelvic and abdominal organs 

Awareness

When I first get into the position, I feel like I'm going to topple over. I must reassume Tadasana and obtain a solid base. When I am completely balanced in Parivritta Trikosana I feel the calve in my right leg and the hamstring in my left leg stretching. Also, since my chest is open, I feel like I am inhaling more air and am breathing deeper. I like to close my eyes in this position and breath very deeply. It is very relaxing and soothes me.