Warrior 2  (virabhadrasana 2) 

By Darin & Wendy

Wendy & Darin, Mazunte, Mexico

Warrior 2  (virabhadrasana 2) is a beautiful pose with so many benefits at the level of the physical body. There is a  powerful stretch for the legs, groins, and chest. It also increases stamina, and helps to relieve backaches, and stimulate healthy digestion.

This is a deep hip-opening pose that strengthens the muscles in the thighs and buttocks. It tones the abdomen, ankles, and arches of the feet. This pose also opens the chest and shoulders, improving breathing capacity and increasing circulation throughout the body. It is also known to be therapeutic for flat feet, sciatica, infertility, and osteoporosis.

As with all  yoga poses virabhadrasana 2 is much more than just a physical posture. It increases your ability to concentrate. As you hone your gaze, you direct your mind clearly and with intention. Distractions disappear and your energy becomes powerful and focused. From the level of the energy body and the chakras it works with the third chakra (manipura chakra) which associated with the qualities of courage, confidence, dynamism, will-power and determination.

About the authors

Darin and Wendy have been studying, practicing and living yoga for more than 20 years. Their desire to explore this ancient philosophy has taken them on many journeys around the globe. Both are trained in classical Hatha yoga, in the Sivananda tradition, and have studied extensively a form of energy and chakra yoga, Agama Yoga, in southern Thailand www.agamayoga.com. Their daily Spiritual Heart (Hridaya) meditation practice follows Ramana Maharshi’s Self Inquiry Method.  During the winter season they take the opportunity to deepen their practice by participating in 10 day silent medition retreats in Mazunte, Mexico at Hridaya Yoga School  www.hridaya-yoga.com .