How Yoga Poses From the Cat Family Rejuvenate the Human Body and Mind

Yoga poses from the cat family will give much more than a stretch; how about a motionless calm body, toned spinal nerves, hips and thighs. On all fours, sitting upright, and even standing, these yoga poses can make the human body slim, agile and powerful; able to move with sharp senses and a quiet step. Cats have muscular limbs and flexible bodies, and walk quietly on the tips of their toes.

Flexibility and Strength

Without a doubt, when both strength and flexibility are coordinated there is grace. The basic cat /cow pose in yoga flexes the spine and is contrasted with the arching of the spine. Done on all fours, the movement imitates an angry cat when the upper back is rounded. Side to side movements practiced slowly and with great awareness and synchronized with the inhale and exhale releases even more tension.

The Tiger pose is like the cat/cow pose; however it is a 3 legged pose; one knee is raised off the ground. In addition to being off the ground the whole leg moves extending and bending at the knee with the arching and flexing of cat/cow. It demands a stronger core to remain stable and to have complete control of the movement. We easily discover if one side is stronger. Apparently the move resembles the waking stretch of a tiger. Can you move in the pose with the grace of this the largest cat?

The last pose from the cat family is the Lion Pose. Sitting on the heels with knees apart and toes touching. Palms on the ground between the knees, fingers pointing towards the body., arms straight. Often practiced with a loud roar, the lion yoga pose can also be silent with the mouth closed. Sit very still with eyes open gazing at a spot on the ceiling, if that's okay for your neck. Otherwise gently close your eyes with face forward. Sitting motionless, poised in the grasslands, the lion sneaks up on his victim within attack range. I find my mind is very quiet after I have been motionless in this big cat pose, Simhasana. The pressure on the palms and stretch through arms and spine revitalizes simhasana yoga benefits.

The strength from the tiger, suppleness like the cat, and the control from the lion can be copied from the cat family. Just for the fun of it experiment walking stealthily on your toes like a cat. Engage and synchronize your arms too. What does it take to maintain balance and move smoothly and gracefully? And will you land on your feet if you fall?