Yoga pose of the month:  Let’s study Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II Pose) this month.  Take this month to spend time in this pose, teach it to your students, bring it into your practice, and bring on a deeper sense of reflection this season.  Here are some ideas for you to consider:

1. Tip forward and back over the front leg.  Is there a position for your torso that feels more balanced over both legs?  Move into this investigation with a beginner’s mind — assume you weren’t balanced before so you can honestly play with a deeper alignment.
2. Play with the pressure on your back foot.  Can you make it more balanced?  Broaden through the foot more — does it help you use your back leg more effectively?
3. Play with the pressure on your front foot.  Is the weight balanced throughout?  Do you have more pressure in one spot than another?  As you shift your weight around, notice the effect on the thigh and hip.
4. Are you shoulders truly square? Play with keeping the shoulders square while keeping the front knee pointing toward the toes. (It is fabulous work for the third chakra!)

If you are a teacher, challenge yourself to teach this pose in each class this month.  Add this component:  Can you find something new to teach (and learn)?

Check out this video with a quick idea on how to deepen your pose.