Virabhadrasana

VIRABHADRASANA

Introduction

In Sanskrit " Vira" means Hero and " Bhadra" means Great. So Virabhadra means that the Warrior was the greatest , fierce warrior ever known in history. Lord Shiva was married to an amazing woman named Sati, The unfortunate part is that her father didn't approve of her being married to Shiva. Daksha, Sati's father made sure that Shiva was excluded from family events. This upset Sati very much, so she decided to throw herself into the Ceremonial fire.

All About Virabhadra

Grief was taking over Shiva , he did not realize how much her father's insults were hurting Sati constantly . He loved Sati so much, it just broke his heart that he would treat her like that. Out of Anger and sorrow, Shiva tore out one of his dreadlocks and threw it to the ground, Where he threw it down the earth literally opened up, and up came Virabhadra and Kali were born. Virabhadra was muscular, tall, fierce looking, his body was the color of stormy clouds. Virabhadra had three burning eyes, and hair that was on fire. He had a garland of skulls around his neck, and carried scary looking weapons. Virabhadra was the manifestation of Shiva's Grief and Anger.

The warrior raised his arms up to Shiva and then bowed to him at his service, Virabhadra took warrior 1 while Shiva looked at him , Shiva said to lead the army against Sati's father and destroy him and all that is with him. So off the Warrior went with his huge sword and scary weapons, when he arrived at the family get together . Virabhadra began to behead Shiva's enemies, the battle continued until he found Daksha , this was the final act of violence, with no hesitation he cut off Daksha's head. The deeper meaning to the story , the Warrior Shiva creates is just a warrior but like Shiva, His real ego is the ego, The symbolism of him cutting the head off Daksha , is him cutting off the head of the ego.And Virabhadra is there to remind us all to be humble.

So as you are doing this difficult posture, remember the story and it is called Warrior 1 for a reason. Tap into the inner warrior and conquer your ego and remember to always be humble in all situations, throughout your life.

Benefits of Virabhadrasana

 The Physical Aspects :

Warrior one gives a wonderful strengthening to the Hamstrings, Quads, Glutes, feet and that power that comes from the body and from the center of your being. Opens the chest as you lengthen from the hips to the fingertips, which improves respiration.

 The Emotional Aspects :

Warrior 1 opens the heart which creates confidence and bravery within yourself. Just holding the Posture will give you a strong Warrior feeling that will make you feel like taking on the world. Also helping you become vulnerable by opening your chest and heart leaving you open to the world and others.

 The Mental Aspects :

The Posture helps keep gaze or Drishti upward which builds concentration and strong focus , The posture is grounding which helps you always know you are grounded in space and time which helps you feel secure in the mind.