{"id":943,"date":"2021-04-28T03:13:43","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T07:13:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theyogasanctuary.biz\/staging\/?p=943"},"modified":"2023-07-31T12:02:12","modified_gmt":"2023-07-31T16:02:12","slug":"virasana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theyogasanctuary.biz\/virasana\/","title":{"rendered":"Virasana: The Hero\u2019s Pose\u2014Great for Your Knees (unless it\u2019s not)"},"content":{"rendered":"
[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.theyogasanctuary.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/12\/3.png” alt=”Virasana-Hero’s-Pose” title_text=”Virasana-Hero’s-Pose” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n
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Virasana,<\/em> or the Hero\u2019s Pose, is a commonly used sitting or meditation posture. Those that have difficulty taking a cross-legged position often find the pose to be more accessible and comfortable. Vira, <\/em>the root word for virasana, <\/em>translates to hero. You may wonder how a simple and humble kneeling position came to be known as such. It all stems from the story of the humble Hanuman.<\/p>\n In Myths of the Asanas<\/u>, Alanna Kaivalya and Arjuna van der Kooji explore the stories behind many of our modern yoga posture names. They tell the story of how the half mortal, half divine child, Anjaneya, came to take the form of a monkey and the name Hanuman, who then grew into a strong warrior and great friend of King Ram.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Sent on a dangerous mission to rescue Ram\u2019s captured wife, Sita, Hanuman dropped down to his knees in prayer creating a version of the shape we know today as the Hero\u2019s Pose. Hanuman \u201cknelt down to pray for the grace to do the impossible,\u201d forgetting that \u201che was already capable of achieving his goal.\u201d The story goes on\u2026 and Hanuman does, indeed, save the day along with Sita.<\/p>\n It is this humble and divine hero who forgets his divinity and moves forward with simple faith that we hope to embody when taking the virasana\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n Is your seat nowhere near touching the ground?<\/p>\n Do your knees just not bend that much?<\/p>\n Feeling a lot of pressure on your shins or the tops of your feet?<\/p>\n If you find that virasana <\/em>is a real challenge but would like to explore the possibility of it becoming a bit easier, consider adding some other postures into your practice such a Warrior 1 & 2 or Malasana. By slowly working on increasing the range of movement and stabilizing the knees and ankles, you may find that taking virasana <\/em>begins to change for you. Be sure to keep an eye open as we add a few videos to support you in this exploration!<\/p>\n While you might hear some yoga teachers say that virasana<\/em> is a great pose for your knees and ankles, lots and lots of times, it just isn\u2019t! So be sure to listen to your body and if the posture doesn\u2019t work for you, let it go and sit in a way that feels right for YOUR body. Recognizing what works for you is what makes a strong yoga practice, not the postures that your body can or cannot take.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/dcFQJ98rYkg” admin_label=”How to video” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/J0oaXy2L_h0″ admin_label=”A sequence for video” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/HLq0r8Ctpbw” admin_label=”Variations on virasana video” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/RvJcs74xp-0″ admin_label=”bonnie video” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Facebook \/ Instagram Connect” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n Stay in the know with The Yoga Sanctuary by following us on Facebook!<\/a><\/p>\nTry this:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Tips:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
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Some things to work on:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
And don\u2019t forget:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
Videos:<\/h6>\n
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