Introduction

Hey everybody and welcome to my storybook! I'm so glad that you all decided to join me! In this storybook we'll be discussing many of the stories that give meaning to poses in yoga. But before I do that I should give you some background information about yoga.

When you think of the word "yoga" what do you think? Is it more physical? Maybe more of the mental aspect? Or even maybe you think of yoga as a spiritual practice?

All of the above are correct.

The practice is physical, mental, and spiritual. Originating in ancient India, yoga has spread throughout the world and is practiced by many people from all types of backgrounds.

Although there are many styles of yoga, practiced throughout the world by many different people, there are said to be 84 classic Asanas that were introduced and taught by Lord Shiva himself. The word Asana can be translated to "seat" and are poses that are practiced in yoga. Most of these Asanas have a deeper moral meaning and have significant stories connected to them, often coming from the ancient Indian stories. We will see many gods, animals, and humans that have influenced the poses, many appearing in the ancient epics of India. In this storybook I will discuss three of these stories that are said to have created the Asanas, examining the specific pose and how it is connected to the original story.

I will tell the story that molded the Tree Pose or Vriksasana, said to come from the Ramayana. The tree pose story deals with love, lust, and even somebody being kidnapped.

The next story will talk about Hanumanasana, a pose named after Lord Hanuman. Lord Hanuman was a monkey god and a very mischievous one at that!

The last of the stories I will talk about is the Warrior Pose or Virabhadrasana pose and the three aspects of the warrior. This story deals with spite, revenge, death, sorrow, and eventually forgiveness.. we see all aspects of emotion in the progression of these poses.

So once again welcome, please sit back and I hope that you will enjoy the stories behind the Asanas as much as I do!