Happy Hamstrings | Vinyasa Yoga Flow

An in-depth look into practice

Hanumanasana or full splits is a pose of devotion – devotion to your practice, devotion to your beliefs and devotion to yourself.

Many moons ago, Hanuman, serving as a commander of King Rama’s army, set out to recover King Rama’s wife, Sita, whom had been captured by the demon Revana. As Hanuman approached the lands of Revana, there was a battle and although Hanuman emerged victorious in the battle, it was not without his fair share of wounded and deceased. As Hanuman looked with sorrow across the battlefield of the fallen, he saw King Rama kneeling with his sword by his side and his wounded brother in his arms. 

King Rama called upon all of his best doctors to heal his brother, but as they looked over his wounds they knew it would prove to be fatal – for the only medicine for a wound of that degree came in the form of an herb that grew in the foothills of the Himalayas. The doctors, knowing there was no way to get the herb in time, consoled King Rama and then left him to receive the last moments his brother had to give.

Hanuman, having heard this diagnosis told the doctors and King Rama that he could go get the herb. Yet, everyone said it was impossible, that he should not bother even trying. Hanuman, son of Mother Earth and Father Wind, knew who he was, not just as a soldier or commander but as a being who walked in authenticity. He knew he could make the journey.

So with all the confidence and strength this world had to offer, Hanuman kept one foot on the battlefield and leaped his other foot to the foothills of the Himalayas. This is the image of a full splits that is known as ‘The Pose Dedicated to Lord Hanuman’ – and rightfully so. Hanuman retrieved the herb and King Rama’s brother walked off of the battlefield that day.

The beauty in this story is not that King Rama’s brother was saved. The beauty is that Hanuman believed. He believed so entirely in himself even when other’s did not because he knew who he was and what he could do.

This is the journey of yoga. This is the journey of life. Let this practice cleans you of everything this world has told you to be, let it give you the opportunity to truly see yourself.

You’re without a doubt going to like what you see.