top of page
Search

Reverse Triangle Pose (Parivrtta Trikonasana)

Updated: Apr 2

Elisha in Reverse Triangle (Viparita Trikonasana), upper body arching back, top arm extended overhead with bicep by ear, bottom hand resting on the back leg
Expand in all directions at once.

Reverse Triangle Pose is a standing backbend that flows naturally out of Triangle Pose. Rather than twisting, you flip the front palm and arc the upper body up and back, opening through the chest, shoulders, and side body. The lower body stays strong and grounded while the top arm sweeps back by the ear. It's an energizing, heart-opening pose that builds leg strength and spinal mobility at the same time.


How to Practice Reverse Triangle Pose (Viparita Trikonasana)

1.Begin in Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) on your right side, right hand resting on your shin or the floor.

2. Flip your right palm so it faces up toward the ceiling.

3. On an inhale, hinge the upper body up and back, arching through the spine.

4. Extend your top (left) arm back overhead, bicep by the ear, fingers spread wide.

5. Slide your bottom hand down your back leg, resting on the thigh or shin, not the knee joint.

6. Keep your lower body static, both legs strong and stable.

7. Gaze up toward the sky, or forward if that feels better for your neck.

8. Hold for 5-8 breaths, then switch sides.


Modifications & Variations

  • Shorten the reach: Keep your top hand at your heart instead of extending the arm fully back, building up to the full expression over time.

  • Hand on thigh: Rest your bottom hand higher on the thigh rather than sliding it down toward the shin to reduce the intensity of the backbend.

  • Press against a wall: Place the back foot against a wall for stability as you arc back, giving you something to push into while you build the balance.




Bring Your Practice to Life


A large group of yoga students practicing on the grass in Golden Gate Park on a sunny day, with trees and a blue sky in the background

Free Yoga in Golden Gate Park


Every summer I teach free outdoor classes at the Whale's Tail in Golden Gate Park, June through October. Bring your mat, bring a friend, and meet me on the grass.


Elisha seated in meditation on an open-air wooden yoga shala, surrounded by tall wooden posts, with a misty lake and mountain range visible in the background at sunrise

Yoga Retreats Around the World


Ready to go deeper? I lead small-group retreats in some of the most beautiful places on earth. A few days of practice, good food, and real rest can change everything.



Comments

bottom of page