Dr. Ronald Steiner
Virañcyāsana B1: Posture of Virañcya
Mythology: Virañcya is an epithet of Brahmā as the principle of creation. In the myths, creation does not begin with action, but with gathering: the impulse becomes quiet, aligns itself, and only then becomes capable of bearing form. This practice closely matches the description of the bodily form of Mahāmudrā in the source texts of Haṭha Yoga: a practice to gather energy within and, through concentration, let it rise.
In the traditional count: Begin directly from the hold in “Downward-Facing Dog” from the previous sequence.
Vinyāsa 7 – Inhalation, exhalation, inhalation:
From “Downward-Facing Dog,” push off as you inhale. Glide forward and up into a balance on the hands. During the exhalation, keep your legs firmly together and draw them straight through between the arms. Finally, inhale into a seated staff pose with the legs extended.
Vinyāsa 8 – Exhalation, 5 breaths:
As you exhale, place the ball of your right foot on the floor near the left groin, as in Jānu Śīrṣāsana C. Then slide the pelvis over your right heel. As you do so, keep rotating the right foot until the toes point backward. With a straight back, hold your left foot with both hands; let the tips of the thumbs touch the tip of the big toe. Lower your chin and gaze toward the tip of your nose. Remain here until the fifth exhalation.
Tip: Turning the foot as in Jānu Śīrṣāsana C can feel “dangerous” at first. Start with an easier entry: place the right foot from behind against the pelvis with the toes pointing backward—similar to a hurdler position. Then you can slide the pelvis forward onto the heel in a controlled way.
In the traditional count: From here, the vinyāsa continues directly into the next posture.
Effect: You refine pelvic-floor and bandha awareness, stabilize upright alignment, and calm the rhythm of the breath. When built correctly, the spine lengthens and the nervous system becomes clearer—without “pulling yourself up” or forcing the posture.
Fotograf: Richard Pilnick - www.richardpilnick.com
Messages and ratings