Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World


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(as of Sep 08, 2024 22:50:21 UTC – Details)



Ever wonder about the dog in Downward Dog or the pigeon in Kapota? Rewild your yoga practice by connecting to the animals behind the asanas.

For nature-loving yogis and readers of World of Wonders and Yoga Mythology

From Downward Dog to Cobra, Wild Asana invites you into an embodied exploration of the animals that inspire familiar yoga poses. Drawing on wildlife science, anthropology, Hindu mythology, Eastern philosophy, and personal stories, this insightful guide by environmental educator and yoga instructor Alison Zak explores the connections among our bodies, our minds, and the animals that inspire our practice.

In illustrated chapters on asanas like Tittibhasana (Firefly), Garudasana (Eagle), Bidalasana (Cat), and Ustrasana (Camel), Zak invites you to bring the deep nature of animals into breath and movement.

You’ll learn to:
Respect the monkey in “monkey mind” to honor—not tame—your own wildnessFly like an eagle to move from imprisonment to liberation Embody a pigeon’s stillness and nonattachmentImbue your practice with the agility, flexibility, and fierce commitment of a cat Incorporate asana variations, mudras, and meditations inspired by animal naturePractice lovingkindness meditations that include the more-than-human world
With an encompassing ecological compassion, gorgeous original illustrations, profound insight into animal wisdom, and the humor and perspective of lived experience, Zak offers a path to deepen and enliven your practice. Whether you’re an animal lover, a first-time yoga student, or an experienced practitioner, Wild Asana is a practical and accessible guide to becoming animal on your yoga mat.

From the Publisher

Yoga is for everyone. So is connecting with nature.Yoga is for everyone. So is connecting with nature.

Wild Asana. A practical and accessible guide to become animal on your yoga mat.Wild Asana. A practical and accessible guide to become animal on your yoga mat.

From the Book

Being pigeon is easy; becoming pigeon is the challenge.Being pigeon is easy; becoming pigeon is the challenge.

Buoyant peace. Immersion into divine waters. This is what it's like to be matsya.Buoyant peace. Immersion into divine waters. This is what it's like to be matsya.

Our forms may be different, but we're all the same. All one divine being. That is yoga.Our forms may be different, but we're all the same. All one divine being. That is yoga.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ North Atlantic Books (June 27, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 162317807X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1623178079
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.99 x 0.65 x 8.99 inches