Warrior II Yoga Pose

Description

How to Do Warrior II Yoga Pose

1. 1
   Setup

   Begin standing with feet wide apart, about 3.5 to 4 feet, depending on your height, with your arms extended out to the sides at shoulder height, palms down.

2. 2
   Setup

   Turn your right foot out 90 degrees so your toes point forward, and slightly angle your left foot inward about 15-30 degrees, ensuring your front heel aligns with the arch of your back foot.

3. 3

   Exhale and bend your right knee directly over your right ankle, aiming for your thigh to be parallel to the floor, while keeping your left leg straight and strong.

4. 4

   Keep your torso centered between your legs, not leaning forward or backward, and extend your arms actively from the shoulders, gazing over your right fingertips.

5. 5

   Engage your core, draw your tailbone slightly down, and gently press the outer edge of your back foot into the mat to maintain stability and hip openness.

Tips

• Ensure your front knee tracks directly over your second toe and doesn't collapse inward, protecting your knee joint.
• Actively press down through the outer edge of your back foot to ground yourself and prevent the back hip from collapsing.
• Keep your shoulders relaxed and down away from your ears, even as you extend your arms powerfully.
• Maintain a soft gaze over your front fingertips to enhance concentration and balance without straining your neck.

Common Mistakes

• ×Allowing the front knee to extend past the ankle or collapse inward strains the knee; instead, keep your knee stacked directly over your ankle and aligned with your second toe.
• ×Leaning your torso forward over the front thigh reduces core engagement and stability; instead, keep your torso upright and centered between your hips.
• ×Rounding the upper back or shrugging the shoulders creates tension; instead, keep your chest open and shoulders relaxed as you extend your arms.