Babar, king of the elephants, has a dedicated home yoga practice.

Babar loves to teach yoga to children, however he also has a dedicated home practice of his own where he enjoys exploring all styles of yoga.

Recently, he agreed to this exclusive elephant journal photo shoot to encourage creatures of all sizes and shapes to enjoy the benefits of yoga.

Vinyasa yoga connects movement of your body with the movement of your breath, in and out. But there is much more going on “in between” as Cyndi Lee points out. Take some time to explore with attention, intent and joy in your heart.
Mountain pose, samastitihi, relax into the breath, find your center.

Inhale arms overhead.

Exhale, forward fold (uttanasana)

Inhale, extend the torso, look up

Exhale, right leg back, left leg joins it, chataranga

Inhale, upward facing dog (urdhva mukha svanasana),open your heart

Exhale, downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana), pull the shoulders down and wide

Inhale, raise your right leg tall behind you

Exhale, use your core strength and bring your right leg forward, placing the foot between your hands

Turn the back foot. Inhale and reach for the sky into warrior I, lift off the side ribs

Exhale, arms come down, step back, chataranga

Inhale, upward facing dog, pull the shoulders away from the ears

Exhale, down dog, engage the quadriceps, lift your toes

Inhale, raise the left leg, reaching the ball of the foot for the ceiling

Exhale, bring the left foot between the hands

Inhale, lift your arms and heart for warrior I (virabhadrasana I), keep the back leg straight, inner thigh lifting

Exhale, hands to the ground, step back, chataranga

Inhale, upward dog, let your face know that you’re enjoying yourself

Exhale, down dog, fingers spread, hips high, heels pull to the earth. Stay here for five deep breaths. Shake your head yes, shake your head no. Soft eyes and throat. Active arms, core and legs

.
Look between your hands and step or hop your feet forward. Inhale, look up and lengthen from the crown of the head to your tailbone.

Exhale forward fold, bring your ribs to the thighs

Inhale, reach all the way up, extend

Exhale, bring your hands to your heart, connecting with your center and allowing the effects of the practice to flow through your body.

Namaste.

Teacher, author and expert on yoga for kids and teens, Donna Freeman firmly believes that yoga can be done      anywhere, by anyone, at anytime. She grew up in British Columbia, Canada but was introduced to yoga    while  living in Cape Town, South Africa during her nomad  years. She is currently learning acroyoga with her kids and enjoys practicing tadasana while pumping gas or  washing dishes. Bob Weisenberg describes her book Once Upon a Pose: A Guide to Yoga Adventure Stories for Children as indispensible. For more about yoga for kids and teens visit her website or the Yoga In My School facebook page.