Yoga asanas inspired by animals

Many of the yoga poses we have come to know in class were named after animals both for the resemblance itself, and for the quality of the animal itself.   Ancient yogis observed animals in nature; their abilities and beauty.   To emulate these animal qualities through asana was considered a high sign of spiritual enlightenment. Here are some yoga poses and the animal they are named after:

Downward facing dog

Upward facing dog  

Balancing Bear

Butterfly

Cat stretch

Cobra

Scorpion