Warrior 1 pose, Virabhadrasana A, is next in the Ashtanga sequence after Utkatasana for five breaths. After utkatasana, fold forward, inhale half lift, exhale chaturanga, inhale updog, exhale downdog. Step your right foot forward, pivot your left foot in, and inhale rise up warrior 1 for five breaths. Draw your ribs in and square them to the front of your mat while you lengthen your spine upwards. Press your palms together and look at your thumbs or separate your hands shoulder distance apart if that is better for your body. Then straighten your right leg and pivot to the back of your mat while keeping your gaze at your thumbs, bend your left knee for warrior 1 second side. Hold for five breaths and then open up to warrior 2. Line your front heel with the arch of your back foot, draw your shoulder blades down, and gaze at your left middle finger. After five breaths, with arms still active, straighten your left leg, pivot to the front of your mat for virabhadrasana B on the right side. Extend from fingertip to fingertip. After five more breaths, cartwheel your hands to the mat and step back to chaturanga. Inhale updog, exhale downdog, and “jump through” or just come to a seat for the floor work of the series. The warrior poses strengthen the upper and lower body as well as stretch the hips and groin, open the chest, and improve digestion.