Although Virasana is a simple seated position, it requires some flexibility to execute. This pose provides a calming, soothing effect on the psyche in addition to increasing flexibility and stretching the legs and feet. Virasena energizes the root chakra during spiritual practice, making the person feel more rooted and impassioned.
Kneel on the ground with your feet slightly wider than hip-width apart to perform this asana. Maintaining a straight spine and spreading the shoulders over the back, sit on the floor between the feet. The thighs should support the palms. Due to restricted flexibility, it may be difficult to sit down. To provide additional support, a block might be positioned between the feet.
The word for this asana is vira, which means “brave person” or “hero,” and asana, which means “pose.” Hero posture is another name for Virasana in English.
The thighs, knees, and ankles are stretched during vipassana practice, which considerably increases their flexibility. Additionally, it strengthens the foot arches.
The following are some additional advantages of this pose for the mind:
- Improves concentration
- Strengthens the mind
- reduces tension
- calms the mind
- facilitates meditation
The pose known as vipassana stimulates the Muladhara (root chakra), which is found at the base of the spine, as part of a spiritual yoga practice. In addition to fostering a sense of security, energizing the Muladhara is also linked to good health, passion, and abundance.
Additionally helpful for people with high blood pressure, indigestion, digestive problems, asthma, and menopausal symptoms.
Steps to Perform Virasana
Begin slowly while attempting the hero pose for the first time, and have a folded blanket, towel, bolster, or yoga block handy as a prop. Stop if you have any knee pain. Place the object in the space between your thighs and calves, then recline. To do the hero stance, follow these instructions:
- Start on your knees: Kneel with your knees joined, thighs parallel to the floor, and shins on the floor.
- Extend your foothold: Slide your feet out beyond hip-width while keeping your knees together. Put a level surface on the floor with the tops of your feet.
- Inhale and lower yourself: As you exhale, bring your buttocks to the floor in front of your feet. Use your thumbs to gently move your calf muscles toward your heels if your calves are in the way. Use your prop if your buttocks still aren’t touching the ground. Your hips will be supported and your knees will be in the right posture if you add some height beneath your buttocks. Up till you feel safe and supported in the seated stance, try out various props.
- Roll your shoulders back: To stretch from the tailbone and lift your sternum proudly, roll your shoulder blades away from your ears. Place your hands palms up and stacked one on top of the other in your lap or place them palms down on your knees.
- Hold: Hold this heroic position for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Let go: Lean forward and put your hands on the ground to come out of the hero position. To take the staff position (dandasana), gently straighten both of your legs out in front of you.
Benefits Of Virasana
Yoga’s Virasana stance has incredible advantages for the body and mind. It is crucial for sustaining health and can help avoid several diseases and ailments. The following are some of the most significant Virasana advantages:
This pose stretches the thighs, knees, and ankles. This aids in reducing stiffness and soreness in the muscles.
- It facilitates digestion and eliminates gas and flatulence.
- Virabhadrasana strengthens the foot arches.
- It reduces unpleasant menopausal symptoms like bloating, stomach aches, and mood swings, among others.
- This pose is excellent for increasing blood flow to the back and legs. This aids in easing general weariness and achy legs.
- Regular practice of this asana helps athletes increase their stamina and performance in sports.
- People who must sit for extended periods may benefit greatly from this asana for improved posture.
- It aids in the reduction of pregnancy-related leg edema.
- This yoga stance is excellent for lowering blood pressure.
- Virasana assists in enhancing lung function and treating asthma and shortness of breath.
- This pose is crucial for preventing flat feet.
- This asana helps to relax the mind and lower stress and anxiety. Meditation, yoga Nidra, and pranayama are also helpful. This aids in mental clarity, increased output, and the prevention of numerous illnesses like heart problems, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, etc.
- This yoga pose for kids is highly helpful for enhancing their stamina, circulation, focus, and athletic performance.
- To strengthen your leg muscles, do this asana before the Surya Namaskar yoga steps for a thorough and well-rounded routine that incorporates both standing and sitting poses. It works well as a stretching exercise.
- You can do activities like walking, cycling, running, etc. while doing this asana, which helps to increase your range of motion.
Who should stay away from Virasana?
For several groups of people, Virasana is dangerous due to certain circumstances.
- One group of people who should refrain from doing the hero posture is anyone who has heart disease.
- People who experience migraines or regular headaches.
- The Virasana stance should not be performed by anyone with severe osteoporosis or arthritis.
- Individuals experience a fever, a cold, or the flu.
- People with back or leg injuries should stay away from the Virasana stance.
- Those who are extremely stressed out or anxious.
- Patients who have had back or leg surgery who are still recovering.
What is the Virasana Variation?
- Put a block or cushion between your heels to sit on to elevate your hips and change the position as necessary if you experience any knee discomfort.
- If your quads (front of thigh muscles) are too tense, carefully assume the posture and hold your hips higher by using a cushion or yoga block as a seat support. Instead of at the knee attachment sites, you should feel the stretch in the muscle’s belly.
- Supta Virasana, often known as the “reclining hero pose,” is performed with the hands either stretched over the head or on either side of the legs.
One leg is bent under the body while the other is stretched out in Eka Pada Supta Virasana (One-Legged Reclining Hero Pose) or Ardha Supta Virasana (Half Reclined Hero Pose). - Light on Yoga demonstrates Yogadandasana, in which one bent leg is rolled inward till the foot supports the armpit on the same side, as a substitute for Virasana.
