Yoga Anatomy: Opening the Heart of the Warrior

The fundamental asana Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose) harnesses the archetypal spirit of the warrior. In fact, many martial arts also contain some variation of the Warrior Pose. Remember that the greatest warriors combine power with compassion that flows from the heart. 

Consciously expanding the chest stimulates the organs of the thorax, including the heart and lungs. This action illuminates the heart chakra—the energetic source of our emotions. In this post, we illustrate some simple steps for opening the chest in Virabhadrasana.

Practice Tips:

If you are new to integrating anatomy into your practice, remember that it is not necessary to memorize this technique on your first pass. Begin by enjoying the beautiful images of the body in yoga. This alone will awaken your brain’s awareness of the anatomy during your practice.  

Return at a later date for a closer look, and then gently go through the motions illustrated above as you do this pose. Then leave it. Your unconscious mind will create new circuitry while you rest. Enjoy the process, and when you return to the mat, you will be surprised at how easily you access this technique.

Also, study Yoga for Pelvic Floor Health-Therapeutic Movement and Somatic Repatterning – A YogaUOnline Course with Donna Brooks.