Warrior 1 Pose
The posture is named after Virabhadrasana, a powerful hero created by Shiva, depicted in a story from the great Hindu poem, Kumara Sambhava.
This is one of three postures dedicated to Virabhadrasana, each increasing in intensity.
In this pose, the chest expands fully, creating more space for deep breathing.
The legs are strengthened, shoulder stiffness is relieved, ankles and knees are toned, and the neck is strengthened—helping to release stiffness and imbalance.
The pose also massages the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
If you have cervical spondylosis or work-related neck stress, practice this pose with hands down, fingers pointing toward the floor, and palms facing the thighs. With hands lowered, allow the shoulders, shoulder blades, and trapezius to descend, reducing pressure on your neck and cervical region. As your hands lengthen down toward the hips, extend the neck upward against this descending action. Broadening the chest creates space at the neck, eliminating stress there. Once both sides of the neck are elongated and your eyes and throat are passive and relaxed, look forward.
For thyroid conditions, you can raise the arms but take them wider to avoid thyroid tension and pressure. This wider position helps protect and release tension in the area. Adjust the width using a wider strap, brick, or slanting plank as needed for your condition.
Enjoy your practice, always observing what you feel and modifying when needed.
