Finding your Inner Goddess

In honour of International Women's Day 2019, you may have come across a few Goddess Poses in classes over the past week. Love or hate this pose, it is a physically powerful posture, allowing the body to take up space on the mat. Firmly grounding through the legs, with the muscles of the back engaged as the arms spread wide, the body language of this pose enhances feelings of power.

Let's take a little look at the goddess archetype we can tap into whilst practicing this pose. 

Goddesses in Greek and Roman mythology are usually gentle, pretty and soft, with long flowing hair, floating clothes; our modern idea of a princess.

In Hindu mythology the goddesses are beautiful, but they’re fierce too. Durgha, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali all have major presence in Hindu legends.

Durgha is the mother goddess, shown with ten arms, riding a lion. Known as the warrior goddess, she battles evil and anything that threatens peace and prosperity. Images of her often in battle, with Durgha armed with a sword and shield, bow and arrow, an axe, a spear, as well as the Sudarshan Chakra, a spinning wheel around her index finger representing that the entire world is at her command. If that isn't an image of girl power, I don't know what is...

Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity and wealth, and is highly revered amongst those who own businesses or are striving to earn a lot of money. Festivals are often devoted to Lakshmi, and in the tradition of Vaishnavism, she is seen as the supreme being. Saraswati is the goddess of learning, knowledge, music, art and poetry, and worshipped throughout India and Nepal.

Kali or ‘Kali Ma’, is one goddess you really wouldn’t want to mess with, likened to a mother lioness protecting her young. She is often portrayed as a deep blue figure with blood dripping from her sharp-teeth and lips, three eyes, ten arms and legs, a mala bead necklace of severed heads around her neck, brandishing a man's head, armed with a bow and arrow, sword, axe and spear in the others. In a pre-feminist time, she’s rising up, standing upon her husband, Lord Shiva. Kali is the goddess of time, death and destruction. However, also revered as the mother of the universe, like a ‘tough love’ mum who pushes us to always do our best. 

Goddesses don’t become goddesses by playing small or caring about what others think of them. They let themselves shine, they help others, they’re wise and they aren’t afraid to be themselves. 

Now it's your turn; How to do Goddess Pose; 

Beginning standing side ways on your mat in a wide legged stance, toes facing the longest edge and the feet parallel. 

Bringing the hands to the hips, turning the heels in, so that the toes are directed towards each corner of the mat. Sitting the hips low, bending into the knees, tucking the tail bone, as you simultaneously lengthen the spine whilst squeezing the thighs to roll the knees wide above the ankles.

Once you have the stable power in the legs, there are a variety of arm positions you can play with. Traditional Goddess Pose would have the arms lifted, bent at the elbows, drawing the shoulder blades down the back, palms facing forwards and fingers spread wide. Opening the mouth and sticking the tongue out is often practiced in this pose to honour the fierce Goddess Kali. Rising up onto the balls of the feet stretches the front of the shins and ankles as well as challenging the balance. However, you can always try this pose with eagle arms, or bringing the hands to the knees and taking a light twist, by rolling one shoulder into the centre at a time. 

Have a play around and see what feels good for you, enjoy challenging yourself with this fierce and powerful pose. 

Happy International Women's Day, I hope you enjoy celebrating all of the inspirational and powerful women in the world, and in your life. 

Unite and rise. 

Grace, x