Sometimes we need a reminder that as humans, we’re animals too! Since time began, we’ve lived along-side the birds and the bees, and have even coexisted with animals like dogs and cats as companions for thousands of years. Whilst Native American communities revere spirit animals as guides, the ancient Egyptians believed cats were magical and brought good luck to the owners. In India, cows are considered sacred, and there are many texts delving into Animal Worship (or Zoolatry), which suggest primitive man’s infatuation with the animal kingdom arose from a curiosity of animals which had imitable characteristics.
In the yoga world, we can see how animals have provided inspiration in the form of Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog), Kurmasana (tortoise pose), and Garudasana (eagle posture). Religions that have influenced yoga such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism all utilise animals symbolically, and ancient stones and artefacts uncovered in the Indus Valley show carvings and depictions of rhinos, elephants and bulls. One of the most controversial and important recovered stones linked to the beginnings of yoga itself even shows what scholars and historians have named the ‘lord of the animals’ – also thought by many to be the god Shiva.
Whether you’ve explored the origins of yoga and its mysterious history, or you simply enjoy the practice for its physical and mental benefits, we can still deepen our understanding of yoga by learning more about the postures. With many animal inspired yoga poses, the original intention wasn’t to just ‘do’ the shape, but to embody the qualities and energy of the animal itself. Read on for inspiration on embodying four key animal asanas in your practice!
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Downward Facing Dog Pose
Although this specific posture doesn’t appear in ancient Hatha Yoga texts, an almost identical asana named Gajasana (elephant posture) does, and it’s advised to repeat this posture ‘over and over again’ in Sritattvanidhi, a 19th century Mysore Palace script (in case you’re wondering why it appears so many times in ashtanga or vinyasa flow style classes!) When we practice downward facing dog, we’re reminded of how humans evolved from animals that walked on all-fours, and studies show that when we adopt hands-and-knees or even ‘crawling’ positions, we reconnect to our original primitive strength. This type of position has mental benefits too, strengthening neural connections and improving the brain’s communication between the left and right hemispheres, making our reflexes more efficient and improving our overall movement ability. Knowing all of this, perhaps we could allow our time in downward facing dog to help us let go of the over-thinking, technology-driven, stressed-out human life, and spend some time in the mindset of the ever-curious, playful, non-expectant and naturally strong dog.
Kurmasana
Tortoise Posture
BKS Iyengar stated that this posture is dedicated to Kurma, the tortoise incarnation of Vishnu, and there are plenty of variations, ranging from simple and accessible, to more complex and requiring lots of flexibility in the hamstrings, hips, spine and shoulders. Whichever variation of the asana you choose though, you can deepen your experience and awareness of it by embodying the qualities of the tortoise itself. Across many cultures, the tortoise represents deep wisdom and knowledge, patience, and longevity, and is also the personification of immortality, fertility, the moon and the earth. Importantly today, we can use this posture as a way to tune in to stillness, reminding ourselves of the benefits of living slower and taking time to absorb what we learn and experience, thus transforming it into wisdom. Kurmasana the posture itself can be a place to turn inward and practice pratyahara or ‘sense withdrawal’, and practicing it regularly can help keep us connected to a sense of introspection and the tranquillity the tortoise represents in many religions.
Garudasana
GarudasanaEagle Pose
The quick, sharp and predatory eagle is often depicted as a symbol of strength, leadership and vision in Native American culture. Spiritually, it represents a connection to divinity, since the eagle flies higher than other birds. If you’ve practiced garudasana before, you’ll know how much focus and strength the posture takes to maintain for any length of time, encouraging us to stay focussed and cultivate eka graha or ‘one-pointed focus’ when we need it in life. Eagles can also remind us to see situations from a different or ‘higher’ perspective, and to know that whatever the circ*mstances may be, you have the potential to rise above and fly higher than you may think!
Simhasana
Lion Pose
The symbology of the lion represents majesty, strength, courage and pride, and at times, we all need a little lion energy! Simhasana involves kneeling with the mouth wide open and tongue outstretched, and letting out a big, confident “ahhhhhhh”. When we open the mouth and create this sound, not only do we release physical tension from the face, but we let out emotional tension too. To be our strongest, most courageous selves, it’s useful to let go of things that hold us back, like self-consciousness, worry or fear, and practicing this asana with sound and breath is a wonderful way to remind ourselves how powerful we really are! In relation to the chakras, Simhasana helps release any blocked energy around the throat chakra, encouraging us to speak freely, voice our opinions, and let out the occasional roar!
