The Warrior Goddess
Here is another blog from my blog on Families Online. I will explore different asana and sequences so please continue to log for more blog entries! November 16, 2010
The Hindu tradition has just finished their nine day/night celebration of Navarati. A festival dedicated to the female form of the Divine – the Goddess in her various shapes and manifestations.
Durga is one aspect of the Goddess. A gorgeous fierce protective warrior Goddess riding on her lion. She is power – Shakti.
In a yoga asana (posture) practise we often incorporate a series of postures dedicated to the Warrior. These are standing poses where we are grounded, strong and stable. Being firmly connected to the earth we have the strength to stand our own ground and speak our truth.
Physically the Warrior poses create strength in our legs, open our hips and helps us balance. The muscles in our arms become firmer and stronger as the arms are as involved as our legs. Feel the power from your core – your abdomen – as you firmly press your feet to the Earth and reach out your arms. These poses require and gives us stamina.
In Warrior One your arms reach to the sky and your heart lifts. Feel spaciousness in your front body especially in your front hip. Stay grounded.
From Warrior Two your arms reach outwards from your heart. Open your hip in your bend leg. Create space in your pelvis – expansion.
Warrior Three keeps you strong and balanced. Your lifted leg reaches in one direction and the crown of your head in the opposite. Stay connected to your pelvis, your hips and your core while experiencing the opposite directions.
The warrior Goddess is the manifested creative power of Shakti. She is divine, stands her ground and protects herself and her loved ones. Allow yourself to experience your own power incorporating these postures into your practice.
I would recommend to warm up with a few Sun Salutations before commencing these postures and get further advice on alignment and modifications from your yoga teacher.
If you have any injuries, medical conditions or any health concerns you may want to speak to a yoga teacher or health professional before starting a new exercise programme. Please visit www.yogaembodied.com for further details on yoga and sign up for our newsletter HERE.