Animal names in yoga

Yoga - nature is the role model

Downward-facing dog stretches the spine and stretches the leg muscles. Dogs often adopt this position after getting up. Many of the yoga poses are named after animals. Why this is so is not fully understood. The ancient yoga masters lived in harmony with nature and took it as a role model. The role models in nature make it easier to remember the many asanas. Pineapples often have emotional effects that either reflect the animal character or just the opposite.

In yoga, for example, there is the hare pose “Shashasana”. From the book by Reinhard Gammenthaler: Although the hare is a fearful animal, the attitude has the opposite effect and is advisable for anxious and restless people. The mind becomes balanced and fear and worry are replaced by self-confidence, fortitude and clear judgment.

I like to think that the ancient yogis viewed everything around them as models and were willing to learn from every being, no matter how big or small. Nothing is too powerful or too meaningless to not benefit from and learn from.

In addition, the naming creates a connection to nature. You do yoga primarily for yourself, but it is also about a higher whole such as your own integration into your environment and a conscious way of life with yourself and nature.

Do you have another explanation for why asanas are named after animals? Then bring it on. We look forward to your answers! mail[at]findedeinyoga.org

Text by Maria, former operator of Find Your Yoga (2017-2023)

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