Asana Of The Day

from Yogapancake.com

Name: Warrior 1


Sanskrit: Virabhadrasana 1


What I've picked up about the pose:  Here is an article I found on yogajournal's website on The Story of Virabhadrasana 1.  And Here is where you can see more on getting into the pose. It's very interesting and raises some questions. Such as why such an aggressive pose, and pose named after intense violence is in yoga.  My favorite part of the article states:


" Tim Miller, director of San Diego's Ashtanga Yoga Center, agrees. "Virabhadrasana's a humbling posture," he says. "If you attempt to stay in it for any length of time, you'll confront your own bodily, emotional, or mental weaknesses. Whatever limitations you have, the pose will reveal them so that they can be addressed."




This really spoke to me.  When I go into this pose, it definitely makes me battle with fear, and giving up and pushing on.  The article also states  


. "Many yogis, especially beginners, feel genuinely embattled by its complexity: its persistent tug-of-war between extension and compression, twist and backbend, internal and external rotation, and strength and flexibility."


It's so true! In practice today I attempted to really focus in on the pose. To pay attention to what was going on in it. My thighs begin to get tired, my arms got weary, yet I want them to stay strong. I have to twist one way, stay straight another. Try to sink into the pose a little bit more, be brave and breathe through the tension instead of immediately pulling out of the pose. Warrior 1 has something for the whole body! It's a battle with yourself to stay strong, focus, breathe through the tough situations we get into. 




Namaste my friends,


~Writer Yogi 

Asana Of The Day

image from yogaasyouare.wordpress.com

Name: Downward Facing Dog (or Down Dog)


Sanskrit: Adho Mukha Svanasasana. Adho-Dog, Mukha-Face, Svanasana-Dog


What I've picked up about the pose: In Vinyasa and Ashtanga, you cannot escape it!  It's what the teachers call a "resting pose".  As a newbie, not so much...yet! More details on how to get into the pose are Here.  What gets me is how to distribute my weight. I usually put too much in my arms. But, my arms are getting stronger, and I am trying to learn to pull my hips back. It's an inversion so its good for you. For your body to be upside down instead of right side up, to get some circulation going another way.  This is a resting place, to get back to breathe between a vinyasa, pose, or anytime you need a break. It's a pose in progress I suppose. Somewhere I am always exploring, which isn't bad. :) 


What about you?  Have you done this pose? What is your relationship to it?  What is your knowledge about it? 


Namaste,


xoxo, ~Writer Yogi