Gods. Goddesses, & Deities: The Stories Behind the Asanas

We’ve heard the names of the asanas throughout the yoga practice but have you ever wondered where the names came from? Who are these poses named for? What is the connection between the poses and the names? And why do they have the power to affect us so profoundly?

The warrior poses are named for one specific warrior, Virabhadra. Full splits is named for the monkey god called Hanuman. The Dancer's pose is named for Nataraja, the cosmic dancing form of Shiva. Their stories are epic and fascinating…they inspire us to use our imaginations, to connect with the yoga practice and ourselves on a much deeper level as yoga has always been a practice that guides us to know our highest self.

If you’re a yoga teacher, learning and understanding these stories and their meanings, and how to weave them into your classes will invite your students to explore new…