Yoga Asana: Warrior II or Virabhadrasana II
Each posture in the physical yoga practice has a Sanskrit name ending in asana. Asana means seat or posture. Today we will explore Warrior II pose. Warrior II is known as Virabhadrasana II in Sanskrit. We see: vira which means: hero, warrior, vigorous, and courageous in Sanskrit. We also see bhadra which means good and auspicious and of course, asana which means seat or posture. The name is derived from a Hindu legend, yet we do not see it recorded until the 20th century in the hatha yoga tradition with Krishnamacharya and his student Pattabhi Jois.
This brings us to the WHY behind Virabhadrasana II of which might be the most iconic yoga posture in all of the yogas. As beautiful as this posture may be, it is still, “just a posture.” The postures hold powerful potential as portals into the mysteries of ourselves, our spirits, and our deeper connection to Spirit herself. However, there are two sides to every coin, and on the opposite side of this powerful portal to the Divine, is an equally powerful pull to the delusional superficiality of the believing we are only mind/body. When we get lost here, we find ourselves in endless pursuit of pursuits that lead us not to the divine, but to more and more suffering. Every practice, every posture is an opportunity to check your why, and reclaim it as one of honor and goodness.
The physical WHY behind Virabhadrasana II is a lovely combination of benefit for strength, and stretch. Warrior II strengthens the entire lower body, the core, the shoulders, and the arms. It provides stretch for the hips, the inner thighs, the groin, and the chest. Warrior II also promotes balance, good posture, and one-pointed focus.
Virabhadrasana II can have symbolic, metaphoric, and meaningful significance to our own personal why’s. When we consider the Sanskrit translation we see: Vira which translates as hero and warrior as well as bhadra which translates as good and auspicious. This brings us to the great warrior know as Virabhadra who was the warrior incarnation of Shiva. The story is one of love and tragedy between Shiva, his beloved, Sati, and her father King Daksha. King Daksha disapproved of their union and to spite the couple held a grand party of which all the Gods and Goddesses were to attend. He did NOT invite his daughter, Sati and her love, Shiva. Sati was beside herself and decided to attend despite her non-invitation. This of course resulted in Sati dis-owning her father and committing suicide at the party, throwing herself into flames. As we know, drama travels fast and upon hearing the news of his Sati’s death, Shiva was horrified. In his outrage, he ripped a dreadlock from his head and threw it on the ground, and thus was born, Virabhadra, the Warrior incarnation of Shiva. Virabhadra rises from Sati’s ashes swords in hand (Warrior I), takes aim at King Daksha (Warrior II), and vengeance in slicing the king’s head off (Warrior III). While this may sound horrifying, we can note the metaphorical significance of this act when we acknowledge Virabhadra as our “highest Self” rising in the name of Love (Sati), and facing the ego (King Daksha). This series of postures asks us to acknowledge our own warrior within. What does it mean to be a warrior in your life? While it may not be as dramatic as our tragic story, our trials, our sufferings, and our battles are no less significant. Being a warrior in your own life might look like setting a boundary with your family or friend, it might feel like choosing to go on after a break up or a death, it might be the strength and discipline it takes to commit to a daily meditation practice. Each time you practice Warrior II, remind yourself of the “aim” or the focus that is imperative for your thrive. When you refuse to be distracted, offended, or influenced by adverse sources, it’s like you are sharpening your sword. This is the sword of truth, clarity, commitment and discernment.
How to do Virabhadrasana II:
There are various different entry points however for this explanation, we will enter with a wide stance facing the long side of your mat. Place your hands on your hips and turn your front foot forward towards the short side of your mat, this will give you heel to arch alignment. Keep your hips level and bend your front knee. Be mindful that the front knee does not cave in and adjust your front foot and or your hips to account for this (meaning your hips might turn slightly towards the front of the mat *turn, not tilt, the hips remain level). Align your shoulders over your hips and lift your arms up to a T shape. Align your fingers to your shoulders to your collar bone. Lift through the crown of your head and rotate your neck to gaze over the front extended middle finger.
Modifications:
Keep your hands on your hips for more stability and less work.
Take less of a bend in the front knee for less work.
Place a chair under the hamstring of the front leg for support.
Variations:
Take eagle arms, cactus arms, high prayer, hold onto opposite elbows behind the back, or reverse prayer.
Add a mudra to your arm variation.
Add a flow, straighten the front leg and bring the arms overhead, bend back into the knee and come back to Warrior II.
Add more to your flow, reverse Warrior, Humble Warrior, and so on and on simply stay mindful and give yourself space to explore.
***Permission to modify in anyway that provides you with a feeling of safety, ease, and is alignment with your purpose in practicing the posture.
Dearest Reader,
May the Warrior within you be fueled by practicing these postures with a more profound understanding of their power and how you can access and remember that power within your own being.
Blessings,
Andrea Dawn
