Yoga For You
Ray Madigan and Shelley Choy
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Virabhadrasana II
(Warrior Pose II) » In this pose, the trunk is kept facing forward while one leg bends. The chest develops and expands.
This powerful pose challenges the practitioner to maintain awareness of the symmetry and evenness of the chest and torso while acting through the legs. The mind learns to focus, and the chest and legs become strong and flexible. A sense of determination and perseverance is gained by practicing this pose.
1. Stand evenly with feet together, looking straight ahead.
2. Exhaling, jump the legs wide apart (about 4 to 4 1/2 feet).
3. Extend your arms in line with shoulders and stretch the chest open.
4. Turn your left foot in a few degrees and turn your right leg out 90 degrees.
MANOA YOGA CENTER
Virabhadrasana II, or Warrior Pose II, helps the mind learn to focus and strengthens the chest and legs.
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5. Exhaling, bend your right leg to a right angle. Do not overbend the knee past the ankle. The shin bone should be perpendicular to the floor. Work to keep your right hip, knee and ankle in one plane. Keep your left leg straight.
6. Do not lean to the right. Instead, stretch your arms and chest to keep your torso erect.
7. Gaze with soft eyes over the right hand and keep your breath deep and even.
Ray Madigan and
Shelley Choy are certified Iyengar Yoga teachers and co-direct the Manoa Yoga Center at Manoa Marketplace. Visit
www.manoayoga.com or call 382-3910. Manoa Yoga Center, the authors and the Star-Bulletin take no responsibility for any injury arising from the practice of these yoga postures. Readers should seek a doctor's approval before commencing this yoga practice.