{"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

By Jennifer French<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

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

Try this:<\/strong><\/h6>\n
    \n
  1. Kneel on the floor with your knees close together and your heels slightly wider than your hips. Reach behind your knees and draw the calf muscles down and away from the back of your knees. See video below for more about this!<\/li>\n
  2. Lower your seat down between your feet. Let your sit bones meet the floor. See that your toes point directly behind you and your heels point straight up to the ceiling. Let your heels be flush to your hips.<\/li>\n
  3. Rest your hands on top of your thighs. Inhale and lengthen your spine up. Maintain the length in your spine and as you exhale feel your sit bones ground down into the earth.<\/li>\n
  4. Keep the natural curves of your spine and relax your shoulders. Stay for as many breaths as you feel comfortable.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Tips:<\/strong><\/h6>\n

    Is your seat nowhere near touching the ground?<\/p>\n