Visvamitrasana (Flying Warrior)

Visvamitrasana

“Visvamitra” = name of a sage

Pose Dedicated to Visvamitra

Friend of the Universe Pose

Flying Warrior

Heart of Pose

• Arm Balance
• Hip Stretch

Introduction

SIMPLE ACTIONS PUT TOGETHER IN A COMPLEX WAY

Visvamitrasana (Pose Dedicated to Visvamitra) seems like one of those poses. You know, the ones that seem reserved for an elite group of people whose club you’ll never be a member of. The complexity of the pose can look overwhelming and lead to the illusion that it is inaccessible… When you look at it in small increments, you can see it more clearly: The back leg is in a standing pose, the bottom arm is in an arm balance, the torso and top arm are in a sidebend, the abdominals are awake, and the front leg is approaching a split… As you learn to practice this pose, remember that it is a combination of simple actions put together in a complex way. – Jason Crandell 

BEGIN BY FOCUSING ON SEPARATE PARTS; EVOLVE TO THE ACTIONS COMING TOGETHER

Named after an ambitious king who transformed himself into a yogic sage, Visvamitrasana is a complex asana: It’s an arm balance, hip opener, shoulder opener, hamstring stretch, and twist, all in one. As you practice it, you’ll notice—just as I did with surfing—that you start by focusing on separate parts of your body, which inhibits your balance, rhythm, and flow. But with dedication, all of the seemingly separate parts and actions will come together, and the energy of the asana will come alive. – Shiva Rea 

MYTHOLOGY & THE CONNECTION BETWEEN VISVAMITRASANA & VASISTHASANA

Originally a king and member of the warrior class, Visvamitra achieved the status of brahmanical sage through his piety and asceticism. Though he earned great status and respected titles, Visvamitra was not satisfied with his ascension to the brahman class until the great sage Vasistha, a priest and author of the Vedas, acknowledged him (Light on Yoga). Visvamitra continued his rigorous penance for many years until finally Vasistha recognized him as his equal (FreeIndia.org). The competitive relationship between these two sages is the subject of many legends. And so the connection between Visvamitrasana and Vasisthasana is revealed: they are different, but equally powerful. Vasisthasana is graceful, simple, and elegant. Visvamitrasana is scrappy and complex. Both will test your strength and sense of balance. – DamnGoodYoga.com

Effects / Benefits

Musculoskeletal System

Musculoskeletal effects may include the following.

• Strengthens upper body: shoulder, side body.
• Strengthens hands & wrists.
• Strengthens legs.
• Stretches outer hips, glutes, hamstrings.
• Stretches shoulder (opposite of one strengthening).
• Twisting action.

Energy, Mood, Emotion

PATIENCE, PERSISTENCE, SELF-KNOWLEDGE

The thing that visvamitrasana and other challenging poses constantly remind me: Asanas aren’t obstacles to be conquered, prizes to be won, or accomplishments to check off some grand yogic to-do list. Rather, they’re tools we can use to get to know ourselves a little better — to learn how to observe and honor our bodies, to discover where we feel especially strong and/or flexible, where we feel not so especially strong and/or flexible, how we respond when we feel pissed off or agitated, and the ways in which we change, and learn, and grow over time. – Kat Heagberg 

SENSATION OF INTEGRATION

You’ll gain firsthand experience of what it’s like to take seemingly disparate physical actions and integrate them. This sensation of integration — that is, the feeling that everything is coming together, whether you get into the full final pose or not — can be incredibly satisfying. With work, you’ll also get a glimpse of what it’s like to exceed your self-imposed limitations. Your ego will no longer feel that sense of separation that comes with the mistaken notion that there is an exclusive, members-only club that you’re not invited to, in yoga or in life. – Jason Crandell 

Cautions