"Thousands of years ago, yogis meditating deep in jungles carefully observed the wild animals that shared their solitude. Through deep observation they began to detect the techniques which Mother Nature (God) instills in her less evolved creatures to keep them healthy, agile and alert. They watched how different animals instinctively cure themselves, how they relax and sleep, how they awaken. These ancient jungle saints experimented with these animal postures on their own bodies, and after much readjustment through constant experimentation and deep intuition, they finally created the systematic series of physical exercise known as Asanas. Many of thousands of asanas thus devised are named for the animals which inspired them: cobra, locust, lion, peacock, frog, crow, fish, eagle, monkey, cock, rabbit, etc.
Asanas literally means “posture comfortably held”. During these smooth motions the body remains in a state of relaxed efficiency, and deep breathing which naturally accompanies these postures carries a great deal of oxygen to be absorbed in the blood stream. During asanas energy is accumulated rather than spent…." (Teaching Asanas, A Manual for Teachers, AM Publications)
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