Posture of the month: Visvamitrasana
No matter how much or little you move these days, let’s continue to deepen our yoga journey with a powerful Posture of the Month in May. During times of uncertainty it’s so easy to let ourselves off the hook - but it doesn’t really serve us - neither on a physical platform, nor when it comes to our mental health. A strong, dedicated yoga practice can be a lifeline when everything else shifts and changes.
So in the spirit of stretching ourselves, we have chosen Visvamitrasana as our POM. Read on to learn more both about the physical benefits and the metaphysical aspects…
In Sanskrit, the ancient language of the yogis, Visvamitrasana means 'Sage Visvamitra’s Posture', from Visvamitra (a king turned sage) and Asana (seat or posture).
Visvamitrasana is said to activate the muladhara chakra (root), which allows you to develop and deepen your vitality, stability, survival and staying grounded.
With dedication and practice…
As an advanced arm balance, Visvamitrasana is a complex combination of balance, flexibility and strength. What might initially seem like an insurmountable challenge is completely doable, as you literally build your muscles with dedication and perseverance. A particularly worthwhile endeavour during times of uncertainty and perceived loss of control or power. In this sense, practicing Visvamitrasana can be a strong metaphor, way beyond ‘just another power posture’ in your repertoire: noticing in ourselves the ability to achieve something great by taking one step at a time, building strength day by day.
Visvamitrasana - A fascinating story of perseverance and self-control
Visvamitra is known for being one of the most highly venerated rishis (sages) of old India. He is credited as the author of most of the third mandala (section) of the Rigveda, including the Gayatri Mantra.
Visvamitra was born a powerful king, and one day, while touring his kingdom, he stopped by the hermitage of the sage Vasistha (you might remember him from our March POM, Vasisthasana). Vasistha invited the king and his army to dine with him that evening. The king wasn't expecting much of a meal and was surprised at the feast that was presented to him and his men. He asked how this was possible and Vasistha explained that Indra had gifted him a magical cow, Nandini. She provided him with anything he needed.
Visvamitra decided that such an animal should be owned by a king rather than a sage and asked Vasistha to give it to him. When the sage refused, the king became angry and decided to take the cow by force. Nandini understood what was happening, stood on her hind legs and produced an entire army of fierce warriors and king Visvamitra and his army were defeated.
Trial and error
The incident left a deep impression on the king. He gave up his kingdom and decided to live in isolation and atone for his sins. His aim was to gain the qualities of a great sage, just like Vasistha. Unfortunately each time he progressed and was given yogic powers, his temper got the best of him and again, he was left with nothing. After many trials and errors, he finally was awarded the title of Brahmarishi (a member of the highest class of sages) by Vasistha himself.
Visvamitrasana is a tough posture that requires building flexibility, core strength and steadiness of mind. It combined the aspects of an arm balance, twist, hamstring opener, hip opener and shoulder opener all in one. To perform it correctly, you need time and patience, just like Visvamitra - no matter how many times you fail.
The key is giving up the desire for instant gratification and appreciating the journey, instead of the result alone. That’s why this posture is so incredibly relevant right now, amidst the challenges we are facing. Ask yourself: In addition to this posture, where else can you build your muscles, physically, mentally or spiritually? What can you build and focus on now, in small incremental steps, that will allow for something much bigger, over time? And how can you be okay with small, steady progress instead of quitting because you don’t see immediate results…
As always, remember to join us regularly and practice with us! There are 23 online classes/week, and we will practice Visvamitrasana daily during all of May 2020!
Gratitude for the main source of information for this blog article goes to Reena Davis and her wellness blog.