Pose Breakdown: Warrior 1

Pronounced: VEER-uh-bhah-DRAH-suh-nuh

From Mountain Pose, step back into a High Lunge
Rotate your back leg outward by turning your back foot to a slight angle, between 45-90 degrees, and dropping your heel down
Your two front hip points should be pointing diagonally toward a front corner of your mat
Stretch your arms upwards and actively reach up through both hands
Align your front knee over your 2nd or 3rd toe, and press into the pinky toe edge of your back foot
As you sink deeper into your hips, check to make sure that weight is evenly distributed between front and back legs
Gaze up toward your hands and take 5-10 breaths

If you notice discomfort in the hips, try shortening your stance by stepping your back foot in. You may also try widening your stance.
If you notice discomfort through your back knee or ankle, change the position of your back foot. Instead of the back foot turning outward at a 45 degree angle, try increasing the outward rotation of the back leg by bringing your foot to a 90 degree angle instead.
If you notice limitation through your shoulders, try bringing your hands to heart’s center or to hips .
Lastly, if you try these variations and Warrior 1 still doesn’t feel right in your body, it is absolutely okay to change this pose to High Lunge instead.