What is Virabhadrasana I About?

This pose is about courage. Courage to hold your ground, fact your fears and be confident in what you want and believe in...Phew!

A Virabhadrasana aha!

So, to continue my saga, I was reviewing my Practice Journal and noticed in 2005 not only was this pose on my "dislike" list, it was at the top! So, I found out some interesting things about myself and the pose...Read more here.

Breaking the Rules

It seems like there are many rules to follow when doing Warrior I pose--the back foot down, the hips square (oops, the back foot came up when I squared my hips). The tailbone tucked to protect the lower back while extending and back bending (oops I feel it in my lower back because it is really challenging to tuck the tailbone while extending and doing a back bend when my legs are in this position). So I decided to break the rules for myself and my students this week in class. I told them to focus on grounding the back foot and let the hips go where they are comfortable. Then extend the arms at sides or overhead (or keep them at the waist) and just focus on grounding the back foot and keeping the back leg active and engaged. Extend the spine and bring the chest forward (rather than bending the back). The pose was much more comfortable and enjoyable this way and the yoga police did NOT show up at the door to arrest us for breaking the rules!

Study Point of the Week: Virabhadrasana I

This pose needs the back body fully engaged. What do you need to do to engage it?

I Don't Know Why They Call It ONE

It is not my first choice! Actually, I do know why they call it ONE and it still is not my first choice. Ask me about Virabhadrasana II or Virabhadrasana III. I love both of those versions - strong and open and free! Virabhadrasana I has never felt like my pose in all of the years I have done it. There is something about that back leg, and there is something about that front leg. Oh yes, and there is something about the lower back and the extended arms. It doesn't feel strong and it doesn't feel balanced and it doesn't feel free. Does anyone else agree?

Maybe someday I'll learn to love it - just not today.

A Stronger Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I)

Virabhadrasana I: The Saga of a Pose

There is no other pose in yoga in which my opinion has changed more. When I first started yoga, I loved this pose. I felt strong and noble and courageous. Then, as I played in it more, I began to feel I didn't know anything about the pose. I didn't know where to put my hips, my back heal, my arms. Now, I am back to loving it. I spent much of last summer playing in it, learning about where I wanted my body to be in the pose, and engaging the back body. Now it feels strong and lovely and I enjoy the personal power it brings me! I am looking forward to doing it more this month...

Virabhadrasana I Inspiration

Our pose this month is Warrior I. Here is some inspiration for studying the pose.

Play with the position of your arms (hands together, hands apart) and feel the effect on the entire pose.

Please leave a comment with your thoughts.