Virabhadrasana

...or Warrior I, was never always comfortable or easy for me. I didn't like it much...until yesterday. I am fortunate to be able to take yoga classes outside of my teacher training with my teacher training instructor and I am learning so much. Yesterday his cuing for this pose was spot on for me and for the first time I found my Warrior.

The story behind this pose is as follows:(according to Wikipedia. Differences may vary according to sources)

Sati was the youngest daughter of Daksha, the chief of the gods. When Sati grew up she set her heart on Shiva, worshipping him in secret. In the Swayamvara of Sati, Daksha invited all gods and princes except Shiva. Sati cast her wreath into air, calling upon Shiva to receive the garland; and behold he stood in midst of the court with the wreath about his neck. Daksha had no choice but to get Sati married with Shiva.

One day Daksha made arrangements for a great horse sacrifice, and invited all the gods omitting only Shiva. Sati was enraged by this deliberate exclusion of Shiva and set out to attend, and confront her father Daksha. Daksha then went on to insult Shiva; and as Sati's rage at the disrespect toward Shiva peaked, she declared to her father, "I will tolerate no more of your filth" and she released the inner consuming fire, and fell dead at Daksha's feet.

Then Shiva came to know about this incident and became furious at the non-righteous yagna. Shiva burned with anger, and tore a lock of hair, glowing with energy in Kailasa. At that moment, was born Lord Veerabhadra, the destroyer of Ajnana, sprang from it, his tall body reached the high heavens, he was dark as the clouds, he had a thousand arms, three burning eyes, and fiery hair; he wore a garland of skulls and carried terrible weapons. To provide him the power, arrived Bhadrakali, a wrathful incarnation on Devi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virabhadra

Doing further research for this post, this site: http://yogaclasschicago.blogspot.com/2010/02/virabhadrasana-story-of-virabhadra.html, says this, "Next time you perform one of the Virabhadrasanas, imagine yourself capable of anything that needs to be accomplished -- because you are!"

Well I guess you can figure out from here what was going through my mind. This moment symbolized an accomplishment for me and a reminder that I am strong. This was a reminder that I needed. It was a great moment for me and a great class.