A guide to becoming animal…

Ever wonder about the dog in downward-facing dog or the pigeon in kapotasana? Rewild your yoga practice by connecting to the animals behind the asanas.

Wild Asana invites you into an embodied exploration of the animals that inspire familiar yoga poses. Drawing on wildlife science, anthropology, Hindu mythology, Eastern philosophy, and personal stories, this insightful guide by Alison Zak explores the connections among our bodies, our minds, and the animals that inspire our practice.

Readers will learn to: 

  • Respect the monkey in “monkey mind” to honor—not tame—your own wildness

  • Befriend Garuda to move from imprisonment to liberation 

  • Embody a pigeon’s stillness and nonattachment 

  • Incorporate asana variations, mudras, and meditations inspired by animal nature

  • Practice lovingkindness meditations that include beyond-human-beings 

With an encompassing ecological compassion, gorgeous original illustrations, profound insight into animal wisdom, and the humor and perspective of lived experience, Zak offers a path to deepen and enliven your practice. Whether you’re an animal lover, a first-time yoga student, or an experienced practitioner, Wild Asana is a practical and accessible guide to becoming animal on your yoga mat.

  • “Wild Asana is inviting, imaginative, and restoring, re-establishing our ancient connection with all of life in an original, welcoming, freeing way. A great way to celebrate and honor our bodies and our world!”

    Sy Montgomery, author of How to Be a Good Creature

  • “Wild Asana is a song for the spirit. The world needs this book now, and I am grateful to Alison for sharing her beautiful words and opening our hearts.”

    Beth Allgood, President, OneNature

  • “Alison reminds us and reunites us with the Beings we have been disconnected from in our daily lives…and even in our spiritual practices."

    Nina Rao, Chantress

  • “Oh my! Alison Zak’s Wild Asana is beautiful. Authentic. Open hearted. And brilliant. Get out your mat, settle down under a tree and read this book."

    Victoria Loorz, author of Church of the Wild

  • "Alison Zak flows effortlessly between science, poetry, myth, and memoir—reminding us that true yogis are both naturalists and mystics.”

    Anne Cushman, author of The Mama Sutra: A Story of Love, Loss, and The Path of Motherhood

  • "Once you read this book, you will never consider a dog or the yoga posture of a down dog, or a monkey and the concept of monkey mind in quite the same way again."

    Leila Philip, award-winning author of Beaverland: How One Weird Rodent Made America

  • “Mix one part lore, one part science, a draught of personal essay, and a dash of yoga, then stir in a bit of mysticism. The result is a delightful concoction that will help you breathe into the magic and mystery of the natural world.”

    Maia Toll, award winning author of the Wild Wisdom series

Resources

Buy your copy today!