Yoga is a complete science that harmoniously unites the body, mind, and spirit. As a result, it creates a significant difference in one’s behavior, thoughts, and attitude. Daily practice of yoga increases strength, flexibility, sensitivity, intuition, and awareness. Moreover, this is not true only for humans but applies to animals too. Animals are strong, agile, flexible and have a great level of awareness. Hence, there are numerous yoga poses named after animals.
As the early yogis were influenced by what was around them, it’s only natural to have yoga poses influenced by animals. As a benefit, it has also made it easy for parents to make to motivate kids into practicing yoga with animal names.
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20+ Animal Yoga Poses
1. Cobra Pose – Bhujangasana
2. Swan Pose – Hamsasana
3. Cow Pose (Bitilasana) – Cat Pose (Marjaryasana)
4. Camel Pose – Ustrasana
5. Butterfly Pose – Badhakonasana
6. Downward Facing Dog – Adho Mukha Svanasana
7. Fish Pose – Matsyasana
8. King Pigeon Pose – Kapotasana
9. One-Legged Pigeon Pose – Eka Pada Kapotasana
10. Eagle Pose – Garudasana
11. Tortoise Pose – Kurmasana
12. Cow Face Pose – Gomukhasana
13. Crane Pose – Bakasana and Crow – Kakasana
14. Peacock Pose – Mayurasana
15. Scorpion Pose – Vrschikasana
16. Frog Pose – Bhekasana
17. Lion Pose – Simhasana
18. Monkey Pose – Hanumanasana
19. Locust Pose – Salabhasana
20. Horse Pose – Vatayanasana
21. Rabbit Pose – Sasangasana
22. Firefly Pose – Tittibhasana
23. Crocodile Pose – Makarasana
20+ Animal Yoga Poses
Everything in nature along with animals has a sacred gift for humans to learn from. Ensuing, animal poses can help us to connect with powerful aspects of the soul that we often repress in our busy lives. While some postures are not so obvious, there are many yoga postures that evidently portray the style of a specific animal.
So, roll out your Yoga Mats and try for yourself, which of these asanasfrom below can you perform. Here, is the list of Yoga Poses named after animals.
1. Cobra Pose – Bhujangasana
Cobra Pose is a common beginner’s pose, and it’s clear why this pose is named after a snake. “Bhujanga” means “serpent” in Sanskrit, as the pose mimics a serpent rising to strike. This pose benefits the chest, shoulders, spine, and buttocks.
2.Swan Pose – Hamsasana
Hamsasana or “Swan Pose” is a yoga asana that resembles a swan when performed. Benefits of Hamsasana range from improved digestion to strengthening of the arms and abdominal muscles. In Sanskrit, ‘Hamsa’ means the swan and hence the name Hamsasana.
3.Cow Pose (Bitilasana) – Cat Pose (Marjaryasana)
The gentle flow of cow and cat starts with a flat back, kneeling with all joints in line; the arching Cow Pose coincides with the inhale, while the rounded Cat Pose follows with a deep exhale.
Marjariasana, or the cat stretch, incorporates the excellent feline stretch in the yoga workout. A favorite of our feline friends, this easy pose benefits the neck, spine, and torso. It is usually performed in a flowing vinyasa with the Cow pose (scroll below). In Sanskrit, Marjari means Cat and asana means Posture or Pose, hence the name.
4. Camel Pose – Ustrasana
Often considered one of the more difficult backbends, the Camel Pose is a great stretch for the whole body, with a particular focus on the throat, chest, abdomen, hips, and thighs. It can lead to lightheadedness, so beginners should be careful not to bend their necks too far backward.
5.Butterfly Pose – Badhakonasana
The posture is named Badhakonasana because of the way it is carried out – both the feet tucked close to the groin, clasped tightly with the hands as though tied or bound together in a particular angle. It is also popularly known as the Butterfly Pose because of the movement of the legs during the posture, giving the appearance of a butterfly flapping its wings.
The posture is also sometimes known as the Cobbler Pose as it resembles the sitting position of a cobbler at work. Practicing Baddhakonasana strengthens and improves flexibility in the inner thighs, groins, and the knees. Instructions
6. Downward Facing Dog –Adho Mukha Svanasana
One of the most recognizable yoga poses, downward-facing dog (also known as Down Dog and Downward Dog) uses all parts of the body and especially benefits the shoulders, arms, legs, calf muscles and feet. This rejuvenating pose, along with its counterpart Upward-Facing Dog, is one of the 12 Surya Namaskar Steps.
7. Fish Pose – Matsyasana
There are a few variations of this posture. The traditional pose requires your legs to be crossed, while you can also raise your legs off of the ground for 15-30 seconds, or even lay them flat and focus on the upper back.This backbend pose benefits the neck, abdominal region, upper back, and hips.
8.King Pigeon Pose –Kapotasana
Kapotasana is derived from the combination of the Sanskrit words kapota(pigeon) and asana (posture or pose). The reason for the name Kapotasana is, this pose resembles the pigeon. It is called King Pigeon Pose in English. Preparatory Poses for Kapotasana are Chakrasana, Virasana, Eka PadaRajakapotasana, Supta Virasana, Bhujangasana, and Dhanurasana; and the Follow-Up Poses are Adho Mukha Svanasana, Balasana, Bharadvaja’s Twist and Pasasana Kapotasana is an advanced level yoga pose. It strengthens the spine and opens the chest. It Increases body flexibility.
9. One-Legged Pigeon Pose – Eka Pada Kapotasana
Kapotasana (kapota meaning “pigeon” in Sanskrit) has many variations. Eka Pada Kapotasana is a yoga posture suitable for intermediate level yoga practitioners.Eka Pada Kapotasana stretches the entire lower part of the body, stimulates the abdominal organs and helps relieve the body of Sciatica. It helps open up the hips and adds more flexibility to the hip region. It is also known to relieve the body of stress and anxiety.
10. Eagle Pose – Garudasana
Garuda, the king of birds in Hindu mythology, translates roughly to “eagle” in English. This pose can be hard to wrap your mind around, but that’s part of what makes it such a great pose for concentration. It benefits the shoulders, hips, thighs, calves, and ankles.
11. Tortoise Pose – Kurmasana
Tortoise Pose, or Turtle Pose, is named for these shelled critters for more than one reason. Not only does the pose look like a tortoise, but it is also intended to draw your attention to your inner thoughts. It can be difficult to achieve, and there are many variations. The benefits of practicing this asana daily are that it strengthens the back, tones the abdominal organs, encourages flexibility in the hips and quiets the mind.
12. Cow Face Pose – Gomukhasana
Considering the traditional Hindu reverence for cows, it’s not surprising that the asana is named after this gentle creature.Cow Face Pose can be intense for the entire body. Thus, this pose isn’t easy to perform and needs to be worked on it regularly. However, practicing this posture regularly benefits the shoulders, chest, arms, hips, and thighs.
13. Crane Pose – Bakasana and Crow – Kakasana
Most must have tired Kakasana, the crow pose but have unknowingly done the crane pose instead. Crane pose also known as Kakasana is a very similar pose to Bakasana or Crow Pose. Although, the crow pose is much easier than the crane pose for most. These benefits of these asanas are that they tone the abdominal organs, opens the groin, strengthens abdominal muscles, shoulders, upper back arms, and wrists.
The differencesin Crow pose and Crane pose are:
- In cranepose arms are extended, higher and in slender position upwards while in cow pose arms flexed at an angle of 90 degrees, lower and more compact position.
- In crane poseback is slightly rounded while in crow pose the back is straight.
- In crane pose the knees are supported as close as possible to the armpits without protruding but in crow pose knees are resting on the elbows or on the back of the arms and out.
- In crane pose the feet together but in crow pose the toes together as ‘wings’.
14. Peacock Pose – Mayurasana
Peacocks symbolize immortality and love in Hindu culture. Peacock Pose is an advanced pose that requires attention to the whole body in order to hold an alignment. This pose has many variations, including the challenging Feathered Peacock Pose (Pincha Mayurasana), in which the legs are lifted back and up against a wall — and, for advanced students, eventually lifted away from the wall.
Mayurasanastrongly affects the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, kidneys, and circulatory system, as well as the nerve plexus in the abdomen. As a result, thepeacock posestrengthens and tones digestion, invigorates the entire body, and is particularly treasured for cleansing and eliminating toxins.
15. Scorpion Pose – Vrschikasana
One form of this pose requires you to keep the toes together, which resembles a scorpion more than the advanced pose, which requires you to lower your feet all the way to your head. Benefits from Scorpion Pose are that it makes your body flexible; stretches and expands your chest, shoulders, and hip flexors. Also, Vrschikasana (Scorpion Pose) strengthens your spine, arms, forearms, and torso too.
In case you couldn’t tell from the photo, this pose is not for beginners!
16. Frog Pose – Bhekasana
Great for all ages, this pose can be playful, practical, or deeply restorative. Frog Pose is considered a difficult pose, so the Half Frog Pose variation is more common.Bhekasanais a great posture from which to enter other deep hip openers or arm balances like Crow. Therapeutic applications of Frog Pose include alleviating menstrual cramps, low back pain, and constipation. Plus,this asana fittingly benefits the throat, chest, hips, ankles, and feet.
17.Lion Pose – Simhasana
A favorite among the youngest of yogis, Lion Pose assumes the sitting position and facial expression of a lion. From the Sanskrit word Simhasana, Lion Pose mimics the bold stance of the king of the jungle and evokes the lively spirit of the animal. The pose combines both asana (physical posture) and pranayama (breathwork) to produce a roaring deep exhalation during the peak of Lion Pose.
The Benefit of Lion Pose (Simhasana) is that it helps release tension and reduce stress. The pose opens the throat, jaw, and neck which can help with jaw/neck pain and stimulate the throat chakra. It also stretches the facial muscles and the chest.
18. Monkey Pose – Hanumanasana
Named after the Hindu deity Hanuman, who resembled a monkey, the pose comes from a famous tale in which Hanuman makes an epic leap from India to Sri Lanka. Monkey Pose is an advanced thigh, hamstring and groin stretch. This is highly beneficial stretching the thighs, hamstrings, groins which also stimulates the abdominal organs.
19. Locust Pose – Salabhasana
It may look simple, but maintaining the right balance in this general shape of locust can be very challenging. Salabhasana requires a great burst of energy, reminiscent of a sprightly locust’s leap off the ground to gracefully throw itself backward. The effort of lifting off the ground and staying there for even a few moments is intensity, teaches focus, encourages mindful work, and ideally leaves you feeling tranquil yet alert. This pose benefits the back, buttocks, and hamstrings.
20. Horse Pose – Vatayanasana
Vatayanasana is an intermediate yoga asana practice that requires a deep sense of focus and endurance to come into and stay in this pose. A little similar to Cow Face Pose and Eagle Pose, Horse Pose requires intense focus. It requires strong ankles, and benefits the neck, back, abdomen, knees, and calves.
21. Rabbit Pose – Sasangasana
Rabbit pose alternately called hare pose, hare headstand, and Sasangasana is an asana that evokes nostalgia for childhood playfulness, a deep connection to nature, and the calm gentleness of bunnies. The inverse of camel pose, this is among the poses that really does resemble its namesake. One variation of Rabbit Pose is to press your palms firmly beside your knees, letting forearms line up against the front of your thighs and widening the shoulder blades.
This pose helps to stretch the neck and upper spine along with relaxing effect on the nervous system is an enormous bonus, and some people even find that practicing Rabit pose regularly helps them to fall asleep more easily. The throat lock of the pose is touted for its benefit to the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and many yogis find the rabbit pose to be an effective aid for relieving sinus problems and head colds.
22.Firefly Pose – Tittibhasana
Firefly pose is an arm balance pose that requires more core strength than arm strength. An advanced arm-balance posture that benefits the inner thighs, arms and wrists. It mimics the way a firefly looks when it’s in flight.
23. Crocodile Pose – Makarasana
Makarasana would definitely come under the list of easiest yoga asanas to perform. It is a deeply restorative posture. Crocodile pose relaxes the entire nervous system and is an excellent posture to use in between back strengthening poses. Basically, this posture provides deep relaxation, releases tension in the back and relieves stress. It gets its name from the Sanskrit words, Makara, meaning crocodile, and asana, meaning pose.