TRIKONASANA

(Triangle Pose) 

Take a wide stance on your mat with your feet parallel to each edge of your mat(legs should be about 3 to 4 ft apart) Now stretch your hands out to the side, take a deep breath in and let your shoulders relax on to your back. Then energetically hug your legs towards one another. By doing this simple action, you will fully activate the muscles of your legs providing you with more stability. Keeping all of that action in your legs, turn your right foot out 90 degrees.

Then stretch your right hand forward, as far as you can, and then place your hand outside your right foot on a block or on your shin. For extra support please place your back foot against a wall. Now stretch your left hand up towards the ceiling and keep both sides of torso evenly stretching. On your inhalation your gaze can look up at your top hand and on your exhalation let yourself stretch open lifting your chest up towards the ceiling. Breathe normally and stay for 3 breaths and change sides.

Benefits -  This pose strengthens the legs, stretches the hips, groin, hamstrings, spine, chest and calves, improves digestion by stimulating the abdominal organs, This pose is also extremely therapeutic for back pain associated with pregnancy

Cautions – If you have neck problems and or high blood pressure keep your gaze towards your front foot or straight ahead and keep both sides of your neck elongated.

For more information on yoga poses please see below: