Posture 8: “Triangle Pose” Trikonásana

Now that we have opened and stimulated the Chakras, tied in the Pineal Glands activity and greatly opened the main energetic pathways, we can now bring the focus to the side body pathways and other reflexive physiological aspects. One of those aspects is Proprioception which basically means "sense of self" (one of the main themes in Yoga is awareness of self, prior to awareness outside the self). In the limbs, these proprioceptors are sensors that provide information about joint angle, muscle length, and muscle tension, which is integrated to give information about the position of the limb in space. The muscle spindle is one type of proprioceptor (which was explored with the prior posture) that provides information about changes in muscle length. The Golgi tendon organ is another type of proprioceptor that provides information about changes in muscle tension.

Unlike the Muscle Spindle cells, the Golgi tendon organs are located in the tendons that attach muscle to bone. The sensory dendrites of the Golgi tendon organ are interwoven with collagen fibrils in the tendons and when a muscle contracts, the collagen fibrils are pulled tight activating the Golgi tendon organ to relax the antagonistic muscle. Because changes in muscle tension will provide different degrees of pull on the tendon, the Golgi tendon organ provides information about muscle tension. You might think that muscle stretch would also pull on the tendons and stimulate the Golgi tendon organ afferent. In truth, most of the force of a stretch is absorbed by the muscle itself, so a muscle contraction is a much better stimulus for the Golgi tendon organ.

The Golgi tendon reflex is a natural component of the reflexive aspect of the peripheral nervous system and is the opposite of a stretch reflex. Though muscle tension is increasing during the contraction, alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord supplying the muscle are inhibited. However, antagonistic muscles are activated. Although the tendon reflex is less sensitive than the stretch reflex, it can override the stretch reflex when tension is great, making you drop a very heavy weight, for example. In contrast to muscle spindles, which are sensitive to changes in muscle length, tendon organs detect and respond to changes in muscle tension or contraction as realized in this pose.

Although we have emphasized the function of the muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs in spinal cord control of motor function, these two sensory organs also signal the higher motor control centers of instantaneous changes taking place in the muscles. For these messages are carried instantaneously at conduction velocities approaching 120 m/sec, (the most rapid conduction anywhere in the brain or spinal cord). Additional pathways transmit similar information into the reticular regions of the brain stem and, to a lesser extent, all the way to the motor areas of the cerebral cortex. The control of complex patterns of muscle movement, controlling relative intensities of the separate movements, directions of movements, and sequencing of multiple successive and parallel movements for achieving specific complicated motor goals.

As each posture supports and builds on the other postures, they serve to balance as well as include as well as stimulate more physiological functions of the body. The “Triangle Pose” Trikonásana now takes the Golgi and Muscle Spindle cells into full balance. This action, like the prior pose, taps into the central nervous system via sensory neurons to activate autonomic reflexive activity within the body.

“Triangle Pose” Trikonásana

Stepping out to the wider stance, the practitioner extends the forward foot so that the foot itself is parrallel with the torso. This serves to contract the outer muscles which in turn relax the inner leg muscles via the Golgi reflex. At the same time the folding or contraction of the inguinal crease area serve to open and relax the outer hips and pelvic region. This is the exact pathway for the earths energy that rises up the inner leg via the nadis and transfers through the perinium or root chakra to the Ida, Pingala (dependant upon which side is opened by the side leaned to) and Shushuma to a lesser extent.

As the practitioner leans to the one side and compresses the muscles on one side of the torso, the opposite side muscles are allowed to relax to a greater extent via the Golgi Tendon reflex. This causes two autonomic reflexive actions to fire and by extension balance the electrical or energetic functions within the muscles as the information is processed instantly by the brain to determine the position of body parts and autonomic reflexes. These transmissions to and from the brain through the spinal cord comprising the main channel of the Shushuma, serve to increase and stimulate greater functionality and flow. Another benefit is that it is now opening and closing the lateral Nadis or nuero-pathways for greater circulation and increased functionality.

The arms then extend as the muscles of the upper back and shoulders contract allowing more relaxation and stretch to the frontal aspects or antagonistic muscles. This in turn activates the Muscle Spindle cells as the motor and autonomic nervous systems work in harmony. The lower hand held flat on the floor serves also as a greater detail in this physiological interaction as it contracts the back of the hand and forearm with even greater focus. As noted with the Golgi and Spindle reflexes the contraction of the anterior muscles in this position allow greater relaxation and stimulus of the interior hand, wrist and forearm. This not only serves to increase a tactile awareness in these areas, but also as a micro cosmic reminder of the macro cosmic involvement.

As this posture is attained the head then twists to the side to look up and serve to fully complete the opening of either the Ida or Pingala. This is accomplished when the contracting muscles of the one side of the neck and skull contract and help relax the stretched side. This is the same side that the energy is rising up that inner leg pathway through the perineum and transcends in helical fashion up the Ida or Pingala to the third eye from the same stretched side. As the weight comes to bear on the outer aspects of the foot and heel, this acts as the grounding of excess energies and as balance of the whole. The rising energy to the third eye serves to increase not only the inner awareness but correlation with the outer world as well.

The rising and grounding of these energies are transferred out from the spinal cord to the stretched nerves or nadis. This increases the transmission as well as sensitivity and can be felt as vibrations on those stretched areas during this posture.

Breathing and Intention:

Start by standing with the feet together and deeply inhale through the nose allowing all energy to flow into the ground. During the inhale, sense the air or energy flow down the center front through the perineum and backs of the legs to the heels where it is then grounded. Then as you step out to a wide stance that you will comfortably be able to create this posture, exhale slowly as you relax into the stance.

Again inhale slowly as you feel the vibrations on the outer aspects of the feet and heels as you ground. Then slowly exhale as you lean to one side, timing it with the slow contraction and opposite stretching action, bringing your awareness both simultaneously. As you come to rest again inhale deeply and slowly to fully realize the position and energy vibrations. Slowly exhale as you now turn your head to face up toward the sky as you feel the energy vibrations rise up the forward leg to the perineum to through the corresponding Ida or Pingala channel to the third eye.

As you increase the awareness of the energies you will begin to also sense more interior as well as exterior fields of energy. Carry this new awareness and sensitivity beyond the postures and Yogic practice to everyday life. Just be aware and conscious that you can absorb too much external vibration which can adversely affect you. So use this new sensitivity sparingly at first, it is training to control the energies and remain safe in practice.

Next issue: “Wheel Circle” Chakrásana

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_**Good Health – © Evan Pantazi 2013**_

Yoga Instructor: Carolina Lino – Ponta Delgada, Azores
Photo by: Tiago Pacheco Maia – Ponta Delgada, Azores