Finding Acceptance
Winter Warriors: Humble Warrior
As winter transitioned into spring, we allowed ourselves to open up to the world, presenting the Spirit Warrior we have cultivated within us from the three original Warrior poses. Expressing our new perspectives and attitudes after working hard to better ourselves during the winter months. Now would be a fitting time for reflection and evaluation, with Spring being a time for new beginnings and growth. To remain humble and not allow all the self-work to go to our heads which would be the opposite of everything we’ve worked to accomplish.
Commonly known as Humble or Bound Warrior and sometimes referred to as Devotional Warrior, Baddha Virabhadrasana, is considered a variation of Virabhadrasana II or Warrior I. This pose teaches us to surrender and allows us to draw our focus inward again for reflection and re-evaluation. This time our focus would be on all the work we’ve accomplished to overcome the ego and be the best person we can be in every situation life presents us with. The word “humble” has its roots in the Latin word “Himilus” meaning “from the earth” or “grounded”. A synonym for modest, especially when it comes to abilities and achievements. Thus, someone may be confident in their skills and proud of their achievements but will not boast about either of them. This is an important trait for a Spirit Warrior to possess. It may come naturally to some and others may learn it through experiences in life. It can also be cultivated with practice. This posture also helps in finding acceptance in where you are in your current situation.
Thought of to be a very opening pose for different parts of the body as well as for the different emotions that may come to the surface while spending time in Baddha Virabhadrasana, or Humble Warrior. Feelings of vulnerability are common as the shoulder, upper back and chest begin to open. The fact that your view of the world becomes inverted in this posture may also be a trigger. It is well known a lot of emotions are carried in the hips; therefore, many may be released while spending time in this hip opener. Frustration and anger to name a few of the common ones. Making sure not to hold on to these emotions but to embrace them while in the pose and then letting them go. As with the other Warrior poses, strength is created within the body. In the feet and ankles, hips and pelvis as the lower body supports the posture and in the core as the torso remains lifted and forward. Flexibility also develops in the hips and pelvis.
Starting in Virabhadrasana I or Warrior I
The left foot plants at back of the mat about 3 to 4 feet from the right foot, toes pivoted out so the foot is on a 45-degree angle.
Option to raise the heel on the back foot, staying on the ball of the foot or placing a folded blanket or sand bag under the heel for support.
Bending the front knee, making sure to keep the knee in line with the ankle, hips stay square to the front of the mat.
The core engages and the arms rise up, ears falling between the biceps. Palms face towards each other, reaching through the finger tips as shoulders roll down and back.
Inhale as the palms turn outward and the arms sweep down behind the back. The palms meet and the hands clasps together as the fingers interlace.
Exhaling as the torso begins to fold over the front knee, making sure not to rest on the front thigh. Top of the head may come to the mat, if this is comfortable for the neck.
Arms begin to rise upwards and the hands come overhead. Fingers can remain interlaced if this feels good in the shoulders. The hands can also separate with palms still facing towards the other.
Keeping a strong foundation in the feet and legs as well as with the core muscles engaged for stability within the pose.
Taking a few breaths here, begin to feel the body opening up. Allow yourself to embrace any emotions that may rise to the surface and remember to let them go with each exhale. Turn your focus to everything you’ve accomplished over the winter months with all the self-work you’ve done. Evaluate, and take pride in, where you are at this current moment. Once you’ve done this then determine where you want to be and the work you may have to do to get there.
When you are ready to come out of the pose begin to ground through the feet and use the strength in the legs to bring the torso back up. Coming back into Virabhadrasana I, or Warrior I, the arms lower and the hands unclasp. Arms then sweep back up, ears falling between biceps and palms facing each other above the head. Grounding through the right foot, step the left foot to the front of the mat to meet the right. Coming into Tadasana, or Mountain Pose, arms lower down to the sides of the torso with palms facing forward. Or, another option is to have palms meet in the front of the chest, thumbs in line with the sternum. Giving the arms and legs a little shake, if that feels good, before coming into Baddha Virabhadrasana, or Humble Warrior, on the other side of the body.
Self-evaluation can be one of the hardest things to do. It’s something I have never enjoyed doing, nor do I feel I am good at. I tend to be harder on myself than I need to be. I’ve learned through the years of practicing yoga to be gentle with myself. This pose specifically helps me to remember to be proud of what I’ve accomplished even though I may not be exactly where I want to be. That self-work is ongoing and never completely finished. To keep showing up as the best person I can be and to bring love and good intentions in my routines and interactions each day takes effort and work. I continue to strive to cultivate a Spirit Warrior within myself and I hope I have inspired others to do the same.