Goddess Pose: Taking Up Space, Claiming Power from Within
In the history of humanity, across cultures, women have often been silenced, oppressed, and expected to take a submissive role in society. Yoga was no different - women were largely excluded from practice for centuries.
Then, in the early 20th century, a progressive yogi envisioned something remarkable: Goddess Pose - Utkata Konasana, the Fierce Angle Pose.
A pose fiercer than any warrior pose, a role traditionally reserved for men. And yet, it is not just fierce - it is deeply grounded, open, and expansive. In a time when femininity was often expected to be small, quiet, or hidden, this pose dared women to take up space.
The inspiration for its energy can be traced to the archetype of Kali, one of Hinduism’s most ancient and complex goddesses. Emerging clearly in texts like the Devi Mahatmya (~5th–6th century CE), Kali is fierce, transformative, and unapologetically powerful. She destroys illusion, liberates the oppressed, and embodies the Shakti - the creative, active energy of the universe. In contrast to the societal expectations of women as submissive or decorative, Kali’s iconography - dark skin, wide stance, wild hair, and outstretched arms - presented a radical vision of feminine power.
Story of Goddess Kali
The world was in chaos. A demon so powerful that every drop of his blood that touched the earth gave birth to another demon threatened to drown the world in darkness. The gods tried everything, but he kept multiplying - unstoppable.
Then, in a burst of cosmic fury, Kali appeared. Dark as the night, wild-haired, eyes blazing with fire. She tore through the demon armies, devouring them as they appeared. She drank the blood before it could touch the ground—unstoppable, unrelenting, and fierce beyond imagination.
Her neck was strung with skulls, each one a reminder of mortality, wisdom, and the courage to face truth without flinching. Her power was so immense, so uncontrolled, that even the universe trembled.
Enter Shiva, the mighty god of destruction and transformation, himself fierce and untamed. He lay down in her path, not as a passive bystander, but as the embodiment of surrender, consciousness, and balance. In her rage, Kali could have destroyed everything, but when she stepped on Shiva, she felt his presence beneath her feet. His fierce energy, surrendered, acted as a stabilizing force. Her eyes widened, her fury softened, her tongue out, and her wild power transformed into focused, conscious strength.
This is the energy we step into in Goddess Pose. Wide-legged, grounded, chest open, arms strong—you too become fierce, fearless, alive. Like Kali, you claim your space, face what must be faced, and channel raw energy into conscious presence. You are strength and awareness, fire and focus, unstoppable and balanced all at once.
Goddess Pose channels this same archetypal energy. With feet firmly rooted, chest open, arms wide, and hips engaged, the pose allows practitioners to claim their space, cultivate strength, and embody fearless presence. In holding this stance, we are not only exercising muscles but connecting with a powerful, transformative feminine energy, just as Kali has represented for centuries
Goddess Pose strengthens the body, building strength, stability, and resilience:
Strengthens lower body: Quadriceps, glutes, inner thighs, and calves are all actively engaged.
Opens hips and chest: Encourages flexibility in the hip joints, groin, and shoulders.
Improves posture: Core engagement and spinal elongation help develop stability and alignment.
Enhances balance and endurance: Holding the pose challenges both physical stamina and proprioception.
Beyond the visible benefits to muscles and posture, goddess pose has profound internal and energetic effects:
Grounding & Stability: The wide stance and rooted feet connect you to the earth, helping calm the mind and steady scattered energy.
Activation of Lower Chakras: Engaging the root and sacral chakras fosters safety, vitality, and creative energy.
Pelvic Energy Flow: Opening the hips releases stored tension and emotion, inviting freedom in both body and mind.
Circulation & Hormonal Balance: Strengthening the legs and opening the pelvis supports healthy blood flow and may positively influence reproductive and adrenal health.
Digestive Support: Core engagement subtly massages the abdominal organs, supporting digestion and the body’s internal rhythms.
Psychological Empowerment: Standing tall in this pose cultivates confidence, resilience, and a sense of personal power.
Connection to Feminine Energy: The pose embodies feminine strength - grounded, open, and fierce, reminding us that the feminine is not quiet or submissive but powerful and present.
As women practice goddess pose, they are invited to see their femininity as a divine force - unafraid to occupy space, to be present, and to claim strength.
And as yoga continues to grow alongside humanity, my hope is that all genders and sexes will allow the feminine energy within them to take up space, too - not as something submissive or soft, but as something grounded, open, and fiercely alive.
Goddess pose is more than a posture; it is a manifestation of presence, power, and possibility. When we step into it, we honor not just our bodies, but our inner strength, our creative energy, and our right to exist fully in the world.
