Yoga is often seen as a solitary practice that fosters self-awareness and inner peace. But in recent years, partner yoga has gained popularity for its ability to create shared moments of joy, balance, and trust. Taking this concept a step further, three person yoga, or “trio yoga,” is becoming increasingly popular for yogis who want to deepen their practice in a unique, collaborative way. Adding a third person not only makes the practice more dynamic but also adds more opportunities for creative poses, deeper stretches, and emotional connection.
Why you should try three person yoga poses
1. Building Strong Connections and Trust
One of the most compelling reasons to try three person yoga is the strong bond it can foster between you and your partners. In three person yoga, each person plays an essential role in creating balance, support, and flow. It encourages communication and trust because each person must be fully present and tuned in to the movements and needs of the others. This can strengthen friendships, build family connections, and even provide a unique bonding activity for teams and groups.
When three people practice together, they engage in constant nonverbal communication, learning to respond to each other’s weight shifts, breathing patterns, and body language. These adjustments cultivate a deeper sense of trust, which is the foundation of any healthy relationship. In three person yoga, you’ll be physically supporting each other, whether you’re forming a base, a middle link, or a flyer (the person balanced on top). This trust building aspect is beneficial for anyone seeking a greater sense of unity and shared experience.
2. Enhanced Physical Benefits
Three person yoga allows for deeper stretches and more dynamic postures than traditional solo yoga. The added support from two partners can help you achieve poses that might be challenging or impossible on your own. For example:
Improved Flexibility: Trio yoga poses often allow one partner to assist in stretching or extending the body further than one could alone. For instance, poses where one person is elevated can help improve flexibility by allowing the flyer to relax into the stretch while being supported.
Core Strength: Three person yoga poses require strong core engagement for stability. Holding a position with three people demands core strength from each individual to maintain balance and prevent collapsing. This can result in a stronger core for everyone involved.
Improved Balance: Holding a pose with two other people requires enhanced balance and coordination. It involves focusing on both your own body’s balance and that of your partners. Trio yoga poses teach yogis to find stability even when the weight distribution is complex, improving balance skills that will benefit solo practice as well.
Enhanced Strength and Endurance: Trio yoga poses often involve weightbearing postures, requiring endurance and strength. The base position, in particular, requires strong legs and a steady torso to support the flyer’s weight, helping build muscular endurance.
3. Adding Fun and Creativity to Your Practice
One of the main reasons many yogis enjoy three person yoga is because it’s incredibly fun and full of laughter. Trio poses bring a sense of playfulness, breaking away from the quiet intensity often associated with solo yoga. Because of the creativity required to coordinate three bodies, the possibilities for unique poses are almost endless. Practicing with friends or family can bring joy and laughter to the experience, as some poses may take multiple tries to perfect.
Experimenting with different formations and balancing acts gives you a chance to express your creativity. It’s an excellent way to break out of a traditional yoga routine and try something exciting and out of the ordinary. As you work together to create different shapes and transitions, the practice becomes a fun journey that’s enjoyable in itself, whether you’re perfecting a pose or simply trying.
4. Deepening Mindfulness and Presence
Yoga is inherently a practice in mindfulness, encouraging you to stay present with your breath, body, and mind. Three person yoga takes this a step further by requiring you to also be mindful of others’ movements and energy. This heightened awareness can lead to a more profound sense of mindfulness, as each yogi must stay entirely focused to ensure harmony within the pose.
Each trio pose requires an intense level of concentration to align and balance the body, creating a unique form of shared mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness within a group allows you to experience the present moment together, creating a sense of unity and connectedness that goes beyond individual practice. This shared mindfulness fosters empathy and connection, making it a valuable experience for both personal and group development.
5. Learning to Communicate and Collaborate
Effective communication is the key to successful three person yoga poses. Each individual must clearly communicate their needs and limitations to ensure that everyone is safe and comfortable. This aspect of trio yoga teaches valuable communication skills that translate to everyday life, whether it’s expressing boundaries, giving feedback, or discussing adjustments needed for balance.
In trio yoga, you quickly learn that teamwork is essential for creating a balanced and safe posture. Collaborating on poses involves listening, responding to feedback, and making adjustments. Practicing these skills in a relaxed environment can help improve communication skills outside of yoga, making trio yoga a tool for personal growth and development.
6. Reducing Stress and Boosting Happiness
Yoga is known for its stress relieving benefits, and three person yoga is no exception. Trio yoga often involves a lot of laughter, as learning new poses together can be challenging and fun. Physical touch, whether through support or balance, also releases oxytocin, a hormone linked to social bonding and happiness.
The playful nature of three person yoga can elevate your mood, helping you feel more relaxed and happy. After a session of three person yoga, many participants report feeling a sense of exhilaration and joy, thanks to both the physical activity and the shared experience.
7. Increasing Self Confidence and Sense of Accomplishment
Accomplishing complex three person yoga poses can be incredibly rewarding. Trio yoga requires courage, especially for those acting as the flyer or balancing at elevated heights. Successfully achieving these poses with your partners builds confidence in your physical abilities and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
Each session reinforces your self-assurance, as you realize that with practice, patience, and teamwork, you can accomplish more than you thought possible. This newfound confidence often translates into other aspects of life, empowering you to tackle challenges with greater resilience and selfbelief.
Popular Three Person Yoga Poses to Try
If you’re intrigued by the benefits of three person yoga, here are a few beginner friendly poses you can try with friends:
1. Three-way Downward Dog: This pose involves creating a “stacked” Downward Dog with each person’s feet resting on the lower person’s back. It’s a great way to practice alignment and balance.
2. The Triple Plank: In this formation, each person is planking on top of each other in a layered stack. It requires strength, coordination, and stability from everyone involved.
3. Flying Superhero: In this pose, one person lies on the floor, supporting another person’s hips with their feet. The third person stands behind, providing additional balance and support.
4. The Trio Bridge: The base creates a bridge position, and two other people position themselves in a stacked bridge formation, with each person’s back resting on the knees or legs of the person below.
Remember to approach each pose with patience, a playful attitude, and clear communication. Safety is essential, so make sure each person is comfortable with the role they’re playing, whether it’s the base, middle, or flyer.
Final Thoughts
Three person yoga is an exciting way to elevate your yoga practice, deepen bonds, and experience the joy of movement with others. It offers a range of benefits, from physical strength and flexibility to emotional connection and self confidence. While three person yoga may seem challenging at first, with practice, it can become an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable part of your wellness routine. So, gather a few friends, find a comfortable space, and start exploring the fun and fulfilling world of trio yoga.
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