This post is part of our Yoga for Wellness Series with Well.ca’s resident yoga expert (& Warehouse Associate) Carolyn Evans! Join us every other Tuesday as Carolyn guides you through a new pose or sequence and teaches you about its benefits.

Triangle pose has to be one of my favourite standing postures. Triangle pose is considered a beginners posture and is often seen in a lot of regular classes, however personally I feel this pose to be more advanced. Without enough flexibility and balance, many people find the posture to be quite challenging and/or uncomfortable. Follow these  tips and alignment cues to help you to find your “feel good” triangle pose!

How To:

1. Start standing in Mountain pose (Tadasana) at the top of your mat.
2. As you exhale, step or hop your feet about 3-3.5 feet apart.
3. Turn your right foot 90 degrees and turn your left foot in slightly to the right. Making sure to align your front heel with your back heel.
4. Inhale to bring your arms parallel to the floor, palms facing the floor, relaxing your shoulder blades down the back.
5. Exhale, and begin reaching your torso directly over your right leg, making sure to bend at the hip joint and not the waist.
6. Then resting the right hand on your right shin, ankle or the floor, being mindful to keep both sides of your torso long and extended.
7. Stretch your left arm up towards the sky, eyes gazing softly at your left thumb if you can.
8. Hold posture for 30 seconds to a minute. To come out, using strong rooted legs come up on a inhalation. Reverse feet and repeat on opposite side.

Tips and Alignment Cues:

1. As you begin extending your torso, try anchoring the movement by strengthening the left leg and pressing the outer heel into the floor.
2. Allow the left hip to slightly come forward and lengthen your tailbone down towards your heel.

Tips for Beginners:

• Use of a wall is beneficial for beginners. Use the wall to brace your back heel if you feel unsteady.
• Use of a yoga block is also beneficial if it isn’t comfortable to touch the floor with your bottom hand.

Benefits:

• Stretches and strengthens the thighs, knees and ankles
• Helps relieve stress
• Improves digestion
• Stimulates the abdominal organs
• Relieves back pain
• Therapeutic for a number of conditions, including flat feet, anxiety, sciatica, osteoporosis and infertility
• Helps relieve symptoms of menopause
• Stretches the hamstrings, calves, shoulders, chest and spine