To add to its complexity, Trikonasana is a posture which is taught in different ways according to the various schools of yoga;  opinions diverge as to the distance to keep between the feet, as to whether the back foot should be turned in by a few degrees or kept perpendicular to the front one, as to whether both feet should be kept parallel to each other, as to whether the hip points should be moved apart or kept close together, as to the correct positioning of the pelvis and as to whether the lower hand should be pressed flat on the floor in front or behind the front foot or whether it should be holding the big toe, etc.  The Iyengar style for instance places a great emphasis on precision and proper alignment whilst other schools of yoga are less concerned with the form and more with the flowing of movement.  However, the more advanced practitioner soon sees that despite obvious differences, there are several common underlying features in the different teachings of Trikonasana.  Trikonasana pose enables to develop and cultivate a sense of grounded-ness; it allows to explore how to laterally stretch the trunk, extending the spine through anchoring the legs and the feet and it also provides a beneficial massage to all the internal organs.

Beginners are best advised to stay with one style for a while before exploring other ones, as long as it works for them, is safe and most of all is enjoyable. 
 
Trikonasana is taught as a beginner pose in many of the yoga schools;  it is a wonderful asana which enables to do many other postures once it is mastered.  It is an important posture which brings to the fore the imbalance.
These postures are important, because they help us define and recognize the imbalances in the strength and flexibility of the muscles on each side of our body. The posture is performed first to the right and then to the left side. You will quickly discover that each side of your body offers you a different experience.

The step-by-step instructions given in this article follows the Iyengar method. 

Trikonasana Step-by-Step

• Stand in Tadasana, mountain pose, facing the long edge of your mat, with your feet - the foundation of the pose - together.
• Jump or step your feet apart.  Stretch your arms out parallel to the floor, palms facing down.
• Turn your whole right leg 90 degrees and your whole left leg slightly inwards.  Align the right heel with the centre of the arch of your left foot.  Bring your awareness to the outer edge of the left foot and to the inner edge of the right foot as they tend to lift up.  This is your base so make sure that your feet are firmly planted on the earth.
• Grip your thigh muscles to your thigh bones and rotate both thighs outwards.  Open the soles of your feet to maximise your connection with the earth.  Keep the pelvis in Tadasana position, with the tailbone tucked under.
• Lift both sides of the torso equally and stretch to the right, bringing your back parallel to the floor, hinging from your right hip socket and not from the waist.  Keep the spine straight and the whole body in one plane.
• Place your right hand on the floor behind you, or rest it on your leg (knee, shin or ankle) and stretch the left arm up towards the ceiling in line with the right arm.  Draw the shoulder blades down towards the pelvis to free the neck. 
• Keep rolling the top hip back.  In the final pose, the spine is in line with the front leg, but for many, restrictions in the shoulders and hips means that the torso is often in front of the line of the legs.
• Visualise your kidneys inflate like little balloons, they should not feel hard in your back.
• Keep the back of the head in line with the sacrum.
• Rotate the chest towards the ceiling and turn your head to look at your top hand.  If you experience pain in the neck, look down instead.  Keep your gaze soft.
• Become aware of the 5 lines of energy of the pose and enjoy the movements of opposites.  Keep pushing the feet firmly into the floor and feel the rebound through your legs.
• Try and get a feeling of bringing the front of the body towards the back of the body.
• As you inhale lengthen and get a feeling of expansion within and as you exhale see if you can soften and deepen the pose. 
• Ensure that you do not lose the straightness of the lower back.
• Trikonasana is not a twist and it is not a side bend.
• Stay in Trikonasana for up to 1 minute if you can.
• To come out of the posture, firmly press the feet in the ground and come up.  Jump the feet back into Tadasana and repeat on the other side.