Karen Watson Reeves demonstrates Reverse Triangle Pose in front of Dryden Pottery.
By Karen Watson Reeves
[Contributor’s note: 2025 is the year we celebrate 12 years as The Yoga Place, and this calendar year the setting for each month’s pose will be a business in our town that has exhibited “stay power.”]
While researching the benefits of Reverse Triangle Pose, one of my texts describes the pose as a powerful standing intermediate-level pose, while another site calls it the easiest standing twist pose when compared to other standing twist postures.
My take on the opposing views of this pose is, “Isn’t that just like yoga!” What might be easy or “beginner” for one person might be challenging or “intermediate” for another practitioner. And that can even change day to day with the same person, as our challenges and situations vary frequently.
There are three primary components to this pose: it is a side-bend, a twist, and a balancing posture. It was affirming for me as I was researching this pose to learn that I am not the only person who struggles with balance while holding Reverse Triangle.
Practicing Reverse Triangle helps build concentration and awareness. The twist aspect requires one to stay in the moment, helping ward off the wandering mind. It necessitates an intense focus to stay grounded and balanced.
The focus area for the twist should be the middle and upper back, rather than the neck. Natasha Rizopoulos, a contributor to Yoga Journal, calls the mid- and upper-back “the parts of the spine that in many people are about as malleable and responsive as a block of cement.” Can any of you readers relate?
It is helpful to break the pose down into two parts, first working on the position of the legs and back, then adding the twist. This pose is often used during a vinyasa class, and I personally like to practice it from Pyramid Pose (featured here many months ago), since the legs are already in place and the upper body is already hinging forward.
It has always been a difficult pose for me and I use a block (even when not still recuperating from surgery). But the good news is that we don’t have to be that block of cement! I like the imagery of a pliant block of clay as it is being formed into something that will become a beautiful piece of pottery when fired.
Your body may have to go through some fire (holding poses for several breaths. . . falling and getting up again. . . etc.) before you “master” the pose. Try and try again is one of my favorite yoga lessons.
{Dryden Pottery, a family-owned business producing exceptional handmade pottery since 1946, is located at 341 Whittington Avenue.}
Karen Watson Reeves has called Hot Springs home since 2006. Owner of The Yoga Place, at 301 Whittington Avenue, she became a registered yoga/children’s yoga teacher in 2011. When not on the mat, Karen enjoys the beautiful outdoors of the National Park, especially from her bicycle. Please find more information about her studio and her schedule of classes at www.theyogaplacehs.com.
