Pose of the Month

Warrior II (virabhadrasana II) is a pose that evokes confidence, power and standing your ground. It offers us a glimpse into our own tendencies when strength is asked of us. Do we become tense and waste our energy in places that don’t serve us? Then we may notice our jaw is rigid, our shoulders are hiked up around our ears and our eyes are hard. With some practice and awareness we can learn to use our energy wisely.

Begin with your legs wide apart, feet parallel. Turn your right leg out 90 degrees and your back foot in slightly. Inhale and lift your arms to shoulder height, palms down. Look over your front fingers. On your next exhalation bend your front knee, keeping it in line with your second toe. You want the knee right above your ankle or slightly behind it, but not in front of it. Lift your gaze to the horizon again. Notice if you’re leaning forward; you want your shoulders right up over your hips.

Trust that what you are reaching for will come to you when you stay centered over your place of strength. Take 5 – 10 breaths here. Feel your legs growing stronger, the big muscles of the back becoming firmer. Watch your mind quiet as you remind yourself to relax your jaw, let your tongue fall to the bottom of your mouth, and your shoulders relax. Notice how your energy can now be used to give you a strong foundation.

Inhale to come out and straighten the front leg. Repeat on the other side.

Carry this gentle confidence and increased awareness of your body and mind as you move through your day.