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    Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)

    A bold, expansive pose that cultivates strength and focus. Warrior II encourages you to ground through the legs while opening through the chest and arms – like a peaceful but...

    Category: Standing/Strength

    Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate

    Sanskrit: Virabhadrasana II (veer-ah-bah-DRAH-sa-na)

    Instructions
    • Begin in a wide-legged stance, feet about 3–4 feet apart
    • Turn right foot out 90 degrees, left foot in slightly
    • Align right heel with arch of back foot
    • Bend right knee directly over ankle, keeping thigh parallel to floor if possible
    • Extend arms out to the sides, parallel to the floor, palms down
    • Gaze over right fingertips, keeping torso centred over hips
    • Hold for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then repeat on the other side
    Benefits
    • Strengthens legs, hips, and shoulders
    • Increases stamina and stability
    • Opens chest and hips
    • Enhances focus and body awareness
    Modifications
    • Strengthens legs, hips, and shoulders
    • Increases stamina and stability
    • Opens chest and hips
    • Enhances focus and body awareness
    Warrior II on a Chair

    Practising Warrior II while seated on a chair offers a supportive and accessible variation that allows the body to experience the strength and openness of the pose without placing as much strain on the legs or balance. The chair provides stability and reduces pressure on the knees, hips, and ankles, making it especially beneficial for beginners, those with limited mobility, injury recovery, or fatigue. This variation still encourages engagement through the core, an upright posture, and opening through the hips and chest, while allowing students to focus on alignment, breath, and upper-body strength with greater comfort and confidence.