Sanskrit - Virabhadrasana III
English – Warrior 3
Shapeshift – KingFisher
Lesson of Warrior 3:
We connect with the Earth to rise and extend all energies is all directions. Collapsing happens when we exhaust ourselves.
The kingfisher shares with us his humbleness, even as a creature with glorious colors. Nature has not created anybody uselessly. One has to figure out his abilities and invest them for the well-being of himself and others.
Our yoga practice invites us to explore and discover our unique qualities, appreciate them within ourselves with a humble mind, and cultivate them to share for the benefit of the collective.
Benefits:
Helps improve balance, focus and stability
Relieves stress
Energizes body and improves stamina
Working on this posture improves all standing poses and hip alignment in nuetral positions.
Systems:
Skeletal – opening space and create strength in the shoulder and spine, Strengthen ankles
Muscular – Strengthens arms, shoulders, legs, and back., Tones abdomen and builds core strength
Circulatory – elongating and reaching arms out stimulates circulation
Digestive – opening space allows better digestion, organs are massaged and stimulated
Immune – As space is created, breath is expanded supporting stronger immunity
Considerations:
People with high blood pressure and heart ailments should modify posture as needed, easing into pose and keeping arms on hips if needed
Students with neck problems should keep their head in a neutral position, focusing on relaxing and elongating
For knee, hip or back issues, focus on bending slowly and mindfully into pose ensuring the knee is not extending past the ankle and hip and spine are open and elongated. Use block or chair for support if needed
