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How To Teach Extended Triangle Pose (Uttitha Trikonasana)

by | Standing Postures, Twists, Yoga Lesson Planning Tips

How To Teach Extended Side Angle Pose

How To Teach Extended Triangle Pose (Uttitha Trikonasana)

Extended Triangle Pose is 1 of 3000+ yoga poses within the Yoga Genie Lesson Planner. 

Step 1
Teach The Sanskrit

Teach your students the Sanskrit by breaking it down into bite-sized morsels.

Utthita = extended
Trikona  = triangle
Asana = pose

Ask your students to learn Sanskrit by getting them to repeat it as a mantra for 5 minutes.

Another way to remember trih-koh-NAH-sah-nah is that it’s a TRICKY posture to get right.

Step 2 
Teach The Symbolism 

If you want to add a theme to the pose, you could choose from one of these themes…

  • Expand the field of our perception
  • Going beyond limitations
  • Cope and handle adversity
  • Flexibility
  • Stretching your horizons
  • Twist yourself to extend your capacities

Step 3
Teach The Benefits

Teach your students the benefits…

  • Helps relieve back pain
  • Strengthen legs
  • Stretches groins, hamstrings, hips
  • Opens chest and shoulders

Step 4
Teach The Precautions

  • Don’t look up for too long if you have cervical spondylosis
  • Don’t raise your arm if you have a cardiac condition
  • Don’t practice if you have lower back problems
  • Don’t practice if you have neck pain
  • Don’t practice if you have a headache
  • Don’t practice if you have a diarrhea
  • Don’t practice if you have a low blood pressure
  • Don’t practice if you have psoriasis
  • Don’t practice if you have varicose veins
  • Don’t practice if you have depression

Step 5
Teach Extended Triangle Pose

From Warrior II straighten the right leg.

Reach right arm forward, drawing right thigh upwards.

Drop right hand down onto shin or ankle.

Left shoulder stacks on top of the right.

Reach left fingertips upwards.

Take gaze up to left fingertips.

Draw right thigh muscle upwards.

Slightly bend the right knee.

Repeat on the left side.

Step 6
Teach The Modifications

Knowing a few modifications for each posture you teach is really important. It will make you a versatile and more professional yoga teacher.

Chair
If your student is struggling to reach their hand on the floor, use a chair.

Less Is More
Easing off your furthest limit in Extended Triangle Pose can make way for a deeper stretch in the pelvis and shoulders.

Long Spine
Focus on keeping your spine long.

Neck Pain
If you have neck pain, don’t look up to the ceiling.

Satya (truthfulness)
Ask your students to tap into their Satya (truthfulness) to be aware of how far they can venture into the posture.

Space
Maintain space between your ribcage and pelvis on both sides of the body.

Tailbone lengthening
Imagine your tailbone lengthening away from your crown.

Wall
Rest your back or heel against a wall if you’re struggling with balance.

Yoga Block
If your student is struggling to reach their hand on the floor, use a yoga block.

Steps 7
Teach The Variations

If a student isn’t able to do this posture (or if you have advanced students), give them a variation.

Bound Triangle Pose
Baddha Trikonasana

Revolved Triangle Pose
Parivritta Trikonasana

Revolved Abdomen Twist
Supta Trikonasana

Step 8
Teach A Follow-up Pose

You can follow up Extended Triangle Pose with a standing forward bend (or any standing poses such as Mountain Pose, Tree Pose, or Warrior I Pose).

Standing Forward Bend Pose
Uttanasana

Steps 9
Make Your Lesson Planning Easy Peasy

OK. You got me. This isn’t a step.

But if you want to make your yoga lesson planning easy, take a quick peek at my Yoga Genie Lesson Planner.