Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana)

If you’ve ever attended a yoga class before, then it’s very likely you’ve stood in Warrior Pose. It’s one of the most common postures practiced in traditional yoga, today. Translated from Sanskrit, Virabhadrasana literally means “Hero Friend” pose. Virabhadra was a fierce warrior who saved the day in an ancient mythological battle (https://beyogi.com/virabhadra-rise-warrior/). The posture represents Virabhadra arriving to the scene with two swords in his hands, ready to decapitate his enemy!

Ummmm, Isn’t Yoga Supposed to Be Peaceful?

Well, technically yes, but there are actually, many references to battles fought in the philosophy and mythology of yoga. Perhaps, the most important of all…the battle with self! Modern society paints a pretty picture of what a yogi ought to be like: absent of all negative emotions and actions. Well, we all know good and well, that this is never going to happen! We are human after all, not mythological creatures, and eliminating all hardships from our lives just isn’t possible. If we take a step off our yoga mats and look at all the battles we may possibly face out in the real world, it can be quite anxiety provoking: relationship, health, and financial ones to name a few. Yoga is simply the tool that teaches us how to navigate these battlegrounds with a more peaceful state of mind.

Prepare Yourself for Battle

One battle we are ALL likely to face at some point in our lives, is that of financial hardship. We may lose a job, have a medical emergency, or make a financial mistake, that could all lead to bills piling up and falling behind on payments that are due. This can lead to more serious financial problems such as losing our home or having to file for bankruptcy. Are we always going to be able to avoid financial hardships? Probably not, but we can be prepared with the proper financial weapons, to help ensure that we end up victorious, or at least a little less defeated.

Your Financial Arsenal

Here are some things you can do to be prepared for the next financial battle you face: 

*Build up your rainy-day fund!

This will take time, but is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for unexpected, hard times. A good rule of thumb is to have an emergency savings of anywhere from three to six months worth of expenses. Generally, a single person may want to lean more towards the six-month time frame if you are the sole breadwinner. A dual income family may be able to get by with a bit less, since it is likely that one partner would still be able to work if an emergency does arise. A good thing to do is to have a certain percentage of your paycheck automatically transferred into your savings account every time you get paid, until your cushion is built up. Like your retirement account, leave your emergency savings alone! It is not for vacations, or your new summer wardrobe. You are welcome to start those accounts next, once your emergency fund is all taken care of.

*Know how to adjust your lifestyle!

While your emergency fund is being built, it’s important to know where you could cut costs if a financial emergency arose before it’s sufficiently funded. Make a list of all your monthly expenses. Once the list is complete, go back and check mark the ones that could be cut if necessary. Let’s be honest, most of us have an endless list of things we could cut back on: less cable channels, manicures and pedicures, coffee shop runs, eating out, and summer vacations. The list goes on, but one of the most important things is to have an idea of what could be cut out BEFORE an emergency arises, so that if one does, you already have a plan in place. This is especially important because emotions tend to run high in times of stress. So, have these conversations with family members before the emergency strikes!

*Make sure you have insurance!

Insurance is one of those necessary evils in a financial plan. Most people dread spending money on something they may never use, but insurance serves as another safety net for financial emergencies. If you are in a car accident, you will be thankful you have auto insurance. If you become sick or injured, you will likely use your health insurance to pay for hospital or doctor visits. And if you have a fire in your home, hopefully you have homeowners’ insurance. Now, many of us have these basic insurance policies in place, however, many of us have NOT reviewed our coverage lately. Every few years, call your insurance providers and ask them to explain your co-pays, deductibles, and the overall ins and outs of your policies. Additional ways you can protect yourself and your family with insurance are by having disability insurance, should you become disabled and unable to work, and with life insurance in the event of a family member’s untimely death.

How To Stand in Warrior Pose

Your left leg should be outstretched behind you with your foot turned out at a 45-degree angle. Step the right foot between your hands, bend your knee at a 90-degree angle, and align your right heel with the arch of your left foot. Lift your torso so it is stacked directly on top of your pelvis. Raise your arms above your head, with hands touching, and gaze at your fingers. Switch legs and repeat.

Benefits of Warrior Pose

It is said that with regular practice, Virabhadrasana can:

*strengthen leg muscles

*stretch the hip flexors

*open shoulders and chest

*cleanse the cardiovascular system

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