Genevieve Oswald in Trikonasana. Photo by Zoe Zimmerman for Sundara Studios 2013
Standing tall in the face of adversity requires great courage and determination. One of the many gifts of a regular yoga practice is the ability to stand with steadfast conviction for that which you believe in. The practice of standing poses directly lends itself to the development of unwavering courage. Trikonasana, Triangle Pose, is a basic-level standing pose that does just this.
Begin with your legs and arms wide, ankles in line with your wrists. Turn the toes of your right foot away from your heart, aligning the heel of the right foot with the arch of the left. Inhale to make the muscles of your legs strong reminiscent of the conviction for that which you believe in, lift the muscles of your legs upward from your feet into your hips and isometrically draw them in toward one another like a pair of scissors closing.
Exhale to extend your right arm out over your toes while reaching your hips back toward your left heel. Scoop your right sitting bone toward your left foot to set your right hand on your shin or on the floor. Take a deep inhale, and exhale to turn your right lung, waist, and gaze to the sky. The left hand can either rest on your hip with the elbow drawing back, or it can extend skyward and beyond the clouds.
Inhale to fill your heart with the courage and strength to stand for what you believe in, and exhale to surrender any fear of criticism or defeat. The longer you hold this pose the stronger your legs, abdomen, shoulders, back, heart and mind become. Inhale to rise tall and repeat on the second side.
“Determination, patience and courage are the only things needed to improve any situation.” -Unknown