Wild Asana

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 wildness Fly like an eagle to move from imprisonment to liberation Embody a pigeon’s stillness and nonattachment Imbue your practice with the agility, flexibility, and fierce commitment of a cat Incorporate asana variations, mudras, and meditations inspired by animal nature Practice 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.

Fiction. YOU, ME, AND THE INSECTS is cumulative, thenarrative, detail by detail, drawing the reader into Gina's tense andecstatic experiences as she travels from the East Village to south India tostudy with a Brahmin acharya, a master teacher of meditation, philosophy andhatha yoga. While negotiating daily life in a third world country, Gina alsoconducts a careful examination of her present reactions, as well as her lifeduring the 70s in Detroit when she lived in a bohemian community with herlover and family. Her teacher instructs her in how to transform hersamskara--impressions left from previous actions--so that the present momentbecomes illuminated. Other Barbara Henning titles available from SPD are her poetry collections MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY, LOVE MAKES THINKING DARK, and SMOKING IN THE TWILIGHT BAR.

Dilesh Sudhakar Telwane has revolutionized Asana study with thorough scientific explanations for each asana, from beginner to advanced levels, in unprecedented detail. This book is the culmination of his life’s work on the study and practice of Asanas. Asanas Unravelled: The Comprehensive Asana Manual covers more than 200 asanas. Each posture has a step-by-step explanation, along with modifications, progressions, benefits, contraindications, FAQs and photographs. The highlight of the book is the Q&A section after each asana that deals with all possible queries a practitioner might have. This is a comprehensive asana manual that will prove extremely useful for yoga practitioners, yoga teachers, health professionals, yoga therapists, health coaches and medical practitioners due to the scientific explanations of the techniques and effects of each asana on the human body. Your search for the go-to book for asana practice ends here.

Enhance your yoga practice with this all-new expanded edition of the ultimate guide to the stories behind the most beloved poses of all time. Many yoga practitioners explore the benefits of yoga through its poses, but did you know that the magic and mystery of yoga lie within the power of yogic mythology? Myths of the Asanas was the first book to collect and retell the ancient tales of yogic myth to a modern audience, and has since become a beloved resource for yoga practitioners and instructors the world over. This expanded edition contains nine unheard stories about some of the yoga world's most beloved poses. The myths behind yoga’s spiritual tradition have the power to help students of all levels realize their full potential. Understanding the subtle whimsy and power of the child while in child’s pose gives us permission to recall forgotten dreams and find the power to manifest them now. Learning of the disabilities of the great sage Astavakra while attempting his arm-balance pose encourages us to understand how powerful we are when we recognize the strength that lies beyond any perceived limitations. Marveling at the monkey-god Hanuman’s devotion to his best friend, Ram, keeps us in alignment with our integrity during the hanumanasana splits pose as we dig deeply to discover the source of spiritual strength within ourselves.