One of my favourite yoga books is the one I started to learn from some years ago: ’The art and science of Raja Yoga’ by Swami Kriyananda (J. Donald Walters), a direct disciple of Paramhansa Jogananda. This is a very systematically built up introduction into Yoga, I can only recommend it to anyone. For me, it is like a school book, in the best meaning of the word. It is intelligent, well-organized, comprise and is written in a very readable style.
This book is unique in the sense, that it allocates to each asana a mental confirmation. I remember, when I first read about Trikonasana, the Triangle pose in the book, I was instantly hooked by the mantra attached to it: „Energy and joy fill my body. Let me be happy.” In those days, Trikonasana became the highlight of my practice, I was waiting every day for this feeling of happiness induced by self-hypnosis.
Well, yes, it happens when you are a beginner. You do not always know why you are doing certain things, but you are just ready to follow the word of the „master”. I thought too that this joy is the result of my self-suggestion, but if it works, honestly who cares what is the mechanism behind it, right? However, by now I also know that yoga is not based on any belief, but instead even the smallest details, that might seem unimportant at first, are a testimony of great knowledge behind them. The knowledge of an asana and its mastery takes years, but by now, at least I learned from my own experience, that Trikonasana can truly be the source of joy in the human.
Why? Here comes what I think that by now developed into a piece of knowledge in me through understanding and experiment.
Trikonasana affects the area of the navel and more specifically the solar plexus, the largest autonomic nerve center in the abdominal cavity, which is called Manipura chakra in the language of Yoga.
Looking at it from an energetic point of view, the navel chakra is the center of our self-confidence, our personal strength. It is also called the Sun center of the body as a representation of the qualities of activity, life force and dynamism. When this chakra functions correctly, you are able to express yourself properly in the outside world and you have the power to realize all that you wish. You are able to respect yourself and take proper care of your needs. Practically, this might show in the form of a general feel of optimism towards life or typically feeling fulfilled and content in your career and job. If you feel that your work, and your ego (here in the sense of your self-sustaining capacity, your vital instinct) are ok, and you have trust in yourself, than it is a clear indicator of happiness and success in your life. This is the summit of the materialistic thinking, which is expressed in your subtle, energy body on the level of the third chakra. Of course, there are higher goals to be achieved in life (territory of the higher chakras), but that is fair to say that our happiness first depends on whether we are able to be successful in the materialistic world.
From the side of the physical, the solar plexus is connected to the pancreas and the vegetative nervous system. The previous is responsible for the secretion of insulin, the hormone that regulates the digestion of sugar in the body. If I want to be more philosophical, I could say it depends on the pancreas how much sweetness you may allow into your life. How far your body can „tolerate” the sweet moments. Interesting, huh? The other element, the vegetative nervous system is a foremost pillar of our tranquility and equilibrium, again the prerequisites of happiness. A vexed, nervous person cannot really relax and be joyous.
Besides all the above, Trikonasana has many other benefits. It strengthens and shapes the legs and thighs, the buttocks. It also helps you to trim your waist fat. Since it induces such an intense stretch on the abdominal organs, it is very helpful in treating digestive disorders, especially in relieving stomach burn, sluggish elimination, constipation, enlarged liver, but it is also an important asana for people suffering from diabetes.
From an Ayurvedic standpoint, its beneficial impact on the digestive system is also explained by the enkindling of the Agni, the digestive fire, because this pose increases the Pitta dosha in the body, the bodily humor combining the aspects of fire and water.
Trikonasana is not a very easy pose, but fortunately there are many variations available depending on your physical state, ayurvedic dosha and personal health needs. During the MAS yoga, we also practice it in three versions to achieve the best results.
Wow, thank you for posting this. I love Trikonasana, but it is also sometimes one of the hardest poses for me, especially recently as I have been doing less asana practice. But I have read before that it is the happiness pose, yet I could never put my finger on why. Thank you for the detailed and inspiring explanation.
VálaszTörlésDear Rebecca, Nice to hear of you again:)Hope you are doing fine;)
VálaszTörlésYes; it is hard, that is why it is also called Tricky Trikonasana:))))