Eddie Stern is practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga Yoga. He studied for 19 years under Sri K Pattabhi Jois, learning yoga, Sanskrit, Vedic chanting, ritual and philosophy. His school in Soho, Ashtanga Yoga New York, was established in 1995, which Jois later consecrated as a Hindu temple by installing the deity Ganesha. The temple functions as one of the only two operating Hindu temples in Manhattan.

His publications include a translation of Jois’s book Yoga Mala; Surya Namaskar; Guruji: Portrait of Ashtanga Yoga Master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students; Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: A Tribute; and the monthly philosophical magazine Namarupa, Categories of Indian Thought. Eddie’s articles for newspapers and magazines include the New York Times T Magazine, National Geographic, Vanity Fair, many health and yoga publications, the Huffington Post, and the Journal of Vaishnava Studies.

There are sixteen vinyasas to this asana, of which the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th are the states of the asana.
When in the states of Utkatasana and Virabhadrasana, there is no need to do rechaka and puraka more
than five times. However, aspirants should not forget to do rechaka and puraka while performing the
vinyasas. In addition, while in the asana’s state, it is always important that the body be held firmly and
steadily.
VIRABHADRASANA, 7TH VINYASA
METHOD
Begin this asana in the same way as the first Surya Namaskara and continue through to the end of the
6th vinyasa. Next, stand as in the 7th vinyasa of the second Surya Namaskara, and do rechaka and
puraka five times; this is the 7th vinyasa (see figure). Then, doing rechaka, turn to the left, bend the left
knee, keeping the arms raised over the head, with the palms together, the chest lifted up, and do puraka
and rechaka five times; this is the 8th vinyasa. Then, keeping the legs in the same position and doing
puraka, bring arms down to shoulder level, and stand gazing at the fingertips of the left hand, keeping
the arms stretched out straight and tight; this is the 9th vinyasa. Then, doing rechaka and without
bending the arms, turn to the right, bend the right knee, and stand gazing at the tips of the right hand
with concentration; this is the 10th vinyasa. Next, place the hands on the floor on either side of the right
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foot and, without allowing the legs to touch the floor, lift both the left leg and bent right leg completely
off the floor with only the strength of the hands; this is the 11th vinyasa. Then, the 12th, 13th, 14th,
15th, and 16th vinyasas should be performed in the same manner as the 4th, 5th, 6th, 3rd, and 2nd
vinyasas of the first Surya Namaskara. (See figures for 9th and 10th vinyasas.)
Again, it is best to learn the vinyasas of all the asanas, as well as their states and the series of rechaka
and puraka, under the guidance of a Guru, as these are very difficult to relate in the written descriptions
given here.
BENEFITS
By means of Virabhadrasana, all the joints of the body, as well as the lower abdomen, spinal column, and
organ of generation, are purified. In addition, pain associated with the knees, as well as the pain from
standing or sitting all day while working, is eliminated.

Sri K Pattabhi Jois, Yoga Mala