The Warrior Within: The Story Behind the Warrior Poses.

The Spiritual Warrior.

In yoga, we often move through Warrior I, II, and III — Virabhadrasana — as familiar shapes of strength and stability.But behind these poses lies a myth that speaks not only of battle and destruction, but of love, loss, transformation, and ultimately, renewal.

The Myth of Virabhadra

The story comes from the Shiva Purana, one of India’s ancient sacred texts.

King Daksha Prajapati, a powerful ruler, organised a great fire ritual — a yajña. All the gods were invited, except one: Shiva, the ascetic deity of transformation and destruction. Daksha disapproved of Shiva’s unconventional ways and considered him unworthy of his daughter Sati.

Despite not being invited, Sati went to the ceremony, hoping to bridge the rift between her father and her husband. But Daksha humiliated her in front of the gathered guests, insulting Shiva.Unable to bear her father’s arrogance and the disrespect toward her beloved, Sati entered deep meditation and, in her sorrow, sacrificed herself into the sacred fire.

When Shiva learned of Sati’s death, he was overcome with grief. His sorrow turned into divine fury. From a lock of his matted hair, he created Virabhadra, a fierce and radiant warrior, born of fire and pain.

Virabhadra led Shiva’s celestial army to Daksha’s ritual and destroyed the sacrifice, beheading Daksha himself.Yet, when Shiva’s rage subsided, compassion returned. Seeing the devastation before him, he restored Daksha’s life — replacing his head with that of a goat — and peace was restored once again.

This myth reminds us that even from destruction, awareness and healing can arise.It’s a story not only of anger and retribution, but of transformation, forgiveness, and balance — the essence of yoga itself.

The Warrior in Our Practice

Each Virabhadrasana represents a moment in this story:

• Warrior I — Virabhadra rises from the earth, sword in hand, stepping forward with purpose and clarity.

• Warrior II — he takes his stance, steady and alert, eyes fixed on his aim, embodying focus and determination.

• Warrior III — he moves through the air, heart open, finding balance between power and grace.

Through these shapes, we remember that strength is not just physical — it is conscious, grounded, and guided by the heart. The true warrior acts not from anger but from awareness, not from ego but from love.

Bringing the Myth to the Mat

As we explore the Warrior poses in class this week, I invite you to move with this story in mind.Feel the steadiness of your stance, the openness of your heart, and the clarity of your gaze. Let each pose remind you that transformation often begins in discomfort — and that healing follows when we soften and listen.

May your practice this week be filled with courage, awareness, and compassion.

With heart and strength,

Hélène

Join Me on the Mat

Explore the Warrior sequence and its meaning in my yoga classes in Barnet.🧘‍♀️ Wednesday 11:15 AM — 75-minute flow🌙 Wednesday 6:30 PM — Evening unwind class

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