How To Do The Parivrtta Trikonasana And What Are Its Benefits
Shirin is a health and wellness writer with three years of experience and specializes in writing articles on yoga and has extensive knowledge about the postures of the asanas. Prior to joining Stylecraze, she interned with an advertising firm as a copywriter and as an editorial intern for a luxury fashion magazine.
Read full bio of Shirin Mehdi
Image: Shutterstock
Parivrtta Trikonasana also known as Revolved Triangle Pose is an asana. Parivrtta – Revolved, Trikona – Triangle, Asana – Pose; Pronounced As – par-ee-vrit-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna
This asana is basically a counter pose to the Utthita Trikonasana and is definitely more complex. This asana is a combination of a forward bend and a deep twist. It needs a good sense of balance and a sense of openness in order to achieve stability in the pose. This is one of the first standing postures that you will learn when you enroll yourself in a yoga course. It teaches you how to work every part of your body in unison with one another.
Everything You Need To Know About The Parivrtta Trikonasana
- What You Should Know Before You Do The Asana
- How To Do The Parivrtta Trikonasana
- Precautions And Contraindications
- Beginner’s Tip
- Advanced Pose Variations
- The Benefits Of The Revolved Triangle Pose
- The Science Behind The Parivrtta Trikonasana
- Preparatory Poses
- Follow-Up Poses
What You Should Know Before You Do The Asana
As with all the asanas in yoga, it is important to keep your bowels and stomach clean. Make sure you have your meals at least four to six hours before your workout so that you give your system enough time to digest the food and give out the required energy for the workout.
The best time to practice yoga is usually at dawn or dusk.
Level: Basic
Style: Hatha Yoga
Duration: 30 Seconds
Repetition: Once on each side
Stretches: Knees, Hips, Shoulders, Thighs, Vertebral column, Thorax, Ankles, Hamstrings, Calves, Groin
Strengthens: Knees, Thighs, Ankles
How To Do The Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose)
- Stand erect on your mat, preferably in Tadasana.
- Then, take a three feet step backward with your right foot, and turn it out at about 25-degrees to the side. Your left toes must point forward. At this stage, your hip point must face the side of the mat. Also, quickly check the alignment of your feet. They must be hip-width apart, with both the heels aligned with each other. The heel and arch must also be aligned.
- Place your left hand on the waist, and inhale and raise your right hand overhead as you elongate your spine.
- Firmly root the outside of the back foot, and pull in the lower part of your belly so that your lower back is supported. Exhale and hinge forward at the waist. Make sure your spine is stretched as you reach out with the right arm.
- Depending on your flexibility and range of motion, allow your right hand to reach for your shin or on the floor outside of your foot. Inhale and continue extending through the crown of the head, making sure your spine is long.
- Quickly check if the outside of the right foot is firmly rooted in the ground. Then, exhale and rotate to the left. Stretch the left arm towards the sky as you gaze at it.
- Breathe slowly and deeply as you hold the pose for a few seconds.
- To exit the pose, look at your left foot, and pull your belly in. Then, inhale and gently rise. Place your hands on your waist and bring your feet together. Repeat the asana on the opposite side.
Precautions And Contraindications
These are a few points of caution you must keep in mind before you do this asana:
- If you have a back or spine injury, you must do this asana only under the supervision of an expert. If not, it is best to avoid practicing this asana.
- Also, avoid this asana if you have the following conditions:
a. Low blood pressure
b. Migraine
c. Diarrhea
d. Headache
e. Insomnia
Beginner’s Tip
If you assume a narrow stance, this asana becomes easier. Therefore, as a beginner, make it a practice to bring the hand closer to the inner foot.
Advanced Pose Variations
To deepen the pose, bring the bottom hand to the outside of the leg placed in front, and then, firmly press the forearms against the outer shins. The pressure of the arm on the leg will deepen the rotation of the torso.
The Benefits Of The Revolved Triangle Pose
These are some amazing benefits of Parivrtta Trikonasana.
- It gives the legs a good stretch and makes them strong.
- The hips and the spine get a good stretch.
- Practicing this asana opens up the chest, and therefore, breathing is improved.
- The abdominal organs are stimulated and therefore, digestion is improved.
- Balance, focus, and concentration are improved.
The Science Behind The Parivrtta Trikonasana
There are two different dynamic energies associated with the Revolved Triangle Pose. The first is rooting the legs to the earth, and the second is sending energy upward through the extended arms. This asana is a perfect union of sthira and sukha, or effort and ease. Through this, other opposites like soft and hard, contraction and expansion, descending and ascending, and solar and lunar are also addressed in this asana.
Although this asana seems like a twist, when you reach the floor, you will realize it is more about balancing. But you will feel steady and comfortable if you know how to use your core and leg muscles to support yourself. When you get your alignment right, you will attain flexibility and strength as you balance yourself out energetically as well as physically. Practicing this asana not only makes your mind steady but it also gives you a sense of being free. Then, as one arm reaches the earth, and the other soars towards the sky, you will find stability that will allow you to surrender to the present and the future.
Preparatory Poses
Baddha KonasanaPrasarita Padottanasana
Siddhasana or Sukhasana
Supta Virasana
Supta Baddha Konasana
Uttanasana
Utthita Parsvottanasana
Utthita Parsvakonasana
Utthita Trikonasana
Virabhadrasana II
Virasana
Vrikshasana
Follow-Up Poses
Janu SirsasanaArdha Matsyendrasana
Marichyasana III
Now that you know how to do revolved triangle pose, what are you waiting for? This asana is about balancing the opposites. It has some great lessons to offer, the most important being dealing with conflicting energies. Indulge in the greatness of this simple, yet tricky asana to find yourself truly free.
Read full bio of Shirin Mehdi
