ASANA GUIDE

WARRIOR POSE II — VIRABHADRASANA II

Warrior two pose

In Sanskrit “vira” means warrior and “bhadra” means good. Virabhadra is the name of a “Good Warrior”. According to legend, Lord Shiva was married to Sati, whose father Daksha didn’t like that he was a hermit. One day he had a big ceremony and didn’t invite Shiva. Hearing of his disrespect, Sati went there and immolated herself. Shiva felt it and in his rage a drop of sweat fell on the ground and became a mighty warrior, which went ahead and killed Daksha. The warrior was immortal and it was pacified only by being chopped into tiny pieces and turned into the fever we experience to this day. Later on both Sati and Daksha were resurrected with compassion. The warrior represents the higher self and Daksha the ego.

Sanskrit

Virabhadrasana
वीरभद्रासन

PRONUNCIATION

Virabhadrasana
वीरभद्रासन

TRANSLATION

Gentle (Bhadra)
Warrior/Hero (Vira)
Pose (Asana)

POSE TYPE

Standing pose

POSE CATEGORY

Standing pose

ORIGIN

Tirumalai Krishnamacharya

PERFORMANCE

Starting

Standing at the front of the Yoga mat, feet parallel, arms besides the body.

Entering

Step back with the left leg approximately 1.7 meters. Draw the right hip back, until the pelvis is parallel with the long side of the Yoga mat. Lift the arms parallel to the ground with palms facing down. Open the right foot to a little less than 90°, thus maintaining a slight closing of the foot. Turn the head to the front and gaze at the left hand. Sink the buttocks down as low as possible, so that the right thigh is parallel to the ground. Open the entire torso to the long side by placing the shoulders square above the hips. Lengthen through the arms and hands, while lowering the shoulders down away from the ears.