Fun Pose Friday: Sky Archer
Build a strong foundation, then shoot for the stars. Sky Archer (also called Reverse Triangle, or Viparita Trikonasana) combines a sturdy Triangle Pose stance with a rejuvenating side-body stretch to release tension without losing any heat and balance out some forward bends.
This pose can be a fun way to mix things up in your Warrior-to-Triangle transitions: Try it between Extended Side Angle and Triangle or Warrior II and Triangle as a nice stretch before Wide-Legged Forward Fold, or to build up some momentum on your way to Half Moon. It can fit into any standing stretch sequence, too — just step straight back from Samasthiti.
Learn how to do Sky Archer with Alo Moves yoga instructor Jonah Kest:
HOW TO DO SKY ARCHER POSE
(REVERSE TRIANGLE)
Start with your feet in Warrior stance: right knee bent in front of you with right foot facing forward, left foot planted behind you and close to parallel with the back of your mat.
Catch your right wrist with your left hand.
Use your left hand to pull your right wrist toward the back of the mat and straighten your front leg — lean into it for a great side-body stretch.
Repeat on the other side wherever it makes sense in your sequence.
SKY ARCHER POSE BENEFITS
Stretches your lats, obliques, and other side-body muscle groups
Builds stability and balance
Balances forward bends
Benefits of Modified Visvamitrasana
Increases balance and coordination
Builds core and leg strength
Opens the side body
Builds strength and flexibility for full Visvamitrasana
Find more ways to heat up your vinyasa flow with Jonah Kest’s Energy and Endurance yoga class. Try this class and more for free with a 14-day trial to Alo Moves.