Peaceful Warrior Yoga Practice – 30 minutes
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Peaceful Warrior Yoga Practice – 30 minutes

It’s time for my monthly blogpost which always seems to creep up on me sooner than I realise! I like to give myself plenty of time to think about what I’m going to write, but in many ways much of what I want to say here has already been written in last months article titled ‘Creative ways to practice the Warrior Poses’. Here I opted to shine a light on two postures which I have been teaching consistently for many years, those postures being Vīrabhadrāsana I (Warrior I ) and Vīrabhadrāsana II (Warrior II). 

Shifting perspectives

 

Sometimes when we do the same actions every day or even every week it is normal to develop a habit or pattern out of those things, and this can end up feeling monotonous. I’m sure we’ve all been there? It’s almost as though we end up going through the motions in order to get to our end point, and those motions may leave us feeling un-inspired, overwhelmed or agitated in some way. On the other hand developing routine and having regular contact with something that we know and trust can be very reassuring and comforting.

 

For me, Warrior I has been a posture that I have enjoyed experiencing in a multitude of ways, thanks to the many teachers who have taught it with so much variety. Of course it is useful to know what the starting point is and to have an understanding of the posture and reasons for practising it. Every time I’ve been introduced to another way in, it’s spun me round and helped me to think about the further possibilities that could be available for me to explore. If you are already familiar with Warrior poses I & II perhaps consider how those postures make you feel when you encounter them in a yoga practice. Have there been times when you’ve felt inspired? Or times, when you’ve felt disconnected or confused?

 

Any answer is valid here. This is all part of Svādhyāya – self-inquiry or learning.

 

If you are unfamiliar with these postures then maybe you’d like to revisit my previous post which explains in more detail the meaning of the postures along with the many physical and embodied benefits of them. There are also some short video practices embedded within the article that take you into Warrior I & II from standing and using a chair.

Blogpost: Creative Ways to Practice the Warrior Poses
Inviting a metaphor

 

Gain familiarity with the postures first, get to know them inside and out, and then invite yourself to shift perspective by utilising the metaphor of a ‘mountain path’. This path at first is very direct and forward facing as we take ourselves into Warrior I, the path ahead is clear. As we transition into Warrior II the landscape begins to open up and out towards the surrounding vistas. Perhaps more options become available; playing with arm positions, and the gaze whilst maintaining a grounded quality through the lower limbs combine spacious and stable qualities, connecting us towards the expanse of the landscape and the steadiness of the mountains. Utilising imagery in this way can help to cultivate greater focus in the posture as if we can see clearly the path that lies ahead whilst connecting towards a peaceful, friendly warrior which is strong and stable, effortless and comfortable.

 

Shifting perspectives helps us to realise the creative possibilities that are available to us, imagination can be a very useful tool in this instance. Standing or sitting strong and yet peaceful with a sense of purpose and direction can also enable greater confidence and an uplift in mood, but perhaps on a more subtle level it can help us to think more creatively for ourselves.

 

The possibilities of yoga begin to open up and this can be a very empowering experience.

30 minute creative yoga practice – Tune into your Peaceful Warrior

Below you’ll find my latest yoga practice on YouTube which guides you through postures and sequencing designed to energise and prepare you for practising Vīrabhadrāsana I & II (Warrior I & II ). There are physical, embodied and emotional routes into these postures which help provide the backdrop for further back-bending postures that take place during the latter half of the practice. Counter-posture and relaxation is also included at the end of the session. This practice is knee and wrist friendly and includes only standing and lying postures. Many of the standing postures can also be taken seated onto a chair. 

 

You don’t need to have any prior experience of yoga to take this session, just be sure to remind yourself to take care along the way. To notice stretch, strength and thoughts in ways that are non-harming or from a place of love (Ahiṃsā).

 

Sankalpa – Heart felt intention

 

This practice reminds us to connect towards our own peaceful warrior and bravery in ways that are compassionate and friendly. I hope leads you into an overall feeling of being stronger and more courageous, calm and gentle in body, breath and in mind.

 

Choose any one or more of the intentions listed below to help connect more deeply towards yourself.

 

Let this practice inspire you to;

 

 

  • build overall bodily strength and power
  • boost confidence and self-esteem
  • embody warrior as a fierce and yet peaceful posture
  • cultivate an attitude of strength and calmness
  • cultivate physical and mental strength
  • feel safer in your body
  • explore
  • unlock creativity

30 minute Yoga - Peaceful Warrior Practice

The inspiration for this practice stems from my ongoing interest in yoga as a creative practice and uses visualisation techniques and metaphors drawn from nature as a means towards cultivating creative thought to help manifest positive change or experience within our movement, breath and mind.

 

In order for this to be a truly nourishing and enjoyable experience you may wish to;

 

  • have props available for support such as a chair, yoga blocks or books, cushions and a blanket
  • let members of your household know you do not wish to be disturbed
  • wear comfortable clothing than enables you to move freely
  • have a notebook and pen in case you’d like to make notes
  • and…ensure you leave at least 35 minutes to truly absorb the effects of the practice

Let the landscape inspire you further this year at Llanberis Retreats, North Wales

 

If you’re inspired by this article and would like to deepen your practice and learning of yoga I’ll be teaching along similar lines of creative thought and inquiry at my non-residential seasonal yoga immersions and a 3 day collaborate non-residential yoga retreat taking place in July. The landscape, nature and the seasons will inspire our practices together, combined with vegetarian home-cooked food, like-minded friends and an opportunity to press a well-deserved pause button.

 

Bookings are now being taken for these events, head over to Llanberis Retreats to find

Practice Yoga with me

 

I teach regular weekly online and in-person yoga classes throughout the week from my home town of Marple, near Manchester. All classes are designed to be gentle, creative and accessible, adapting the classes according to those who participate and work around themes linking into nature and traditional yoga whilst exploring ways to find greater support and ease for our day to day lives.

 

Learn more about my weekly yoga class schedule or sign up to my mailing list to be the first to hear about my articles, class schedule, online videos and courses. I don’t email too often, roughly once a month, to keep this community connected.

 

You can also practice along with me on YouTube and if you head to Bamboo Clothing on instagram you’ll find an archive of creative practices there too that are free and available to access any time.

 

Thanks for being here,

 

Helen x

 

The great sea has set me in motion,
set me adrift,
moving me like a weed in a river.

The sky and strong wind
have moved the spirit inside me
till I am carried away
trembling with joy.

Uvavnuk