Elephants hold a revered place within Hinduism, being considered among the sacred animals. Similarly, the origins of yoga can be traced back to India, which adds to the intriguing connection between these majestic creatures and the practice of yoga.
So as astonishing as it may seem, witnessing elephants doing yoga – or really yoga-like activities – shouldn’t be too surprising. It may seem impossible, but one look at their photo above and you’ll see the world’s largest land animal gracefully doing a headstand, a pose that even many self-proclaimed yogis can’t necessarily do with major ease.
At the Houston Zoo, elephants participate in a form of deliberate and unhurried stretching that looks and follows the principles of yoga. This daily routine, which can last anywhere between 30 seconds to 5 minutes, helps to enhance their muscle groups while providing much needed mental and physical stimulation for these pachyderms.
As these very large, and surprisingly nimble, giant animals partake in their yoga-inspired exercises, the vigilant zookeepers have the opportunity to thoroughly observe their entire physiques, from trunk to tail. This practice also allows them to assess the elephants’ range of motion. If any abnormalities are detected, the expert team of five veterinarians is readily available for a thorough examination. To make sure these huge animals are motivated to move, they’re given special treats like whole wheat bread, raisins, bananas or cantaloupe on top of their regular diet of roughage.
Among the magnificent herd, Tess, a nearly 40-year-old mother of four – and even grandmother to one – stands out because of her very impressive flexibility which allows her to boast of tons of movements. However, the 54-year-old matriarch, Methai, tends to take things at a much more relaxed pace.
According to Kristin Windle, Houston Zoo elephant supervisor, she said “Cultivating strong, positive relationships with our elephants is critical to providing them with the best healthcare to ensure their well-being is put first.”
“The elephant yoga stretching sessions allow us to build that relationship using positive reinforcement to increase their range of motion and get eyes on their skin, feet, and inside their mouths. We can learn a lot about our elephants in these important sessions,” she adds.
Moreover, the more intelligent the animal is, it would seem that the more attention they need when kept in zoos. These Asian elephants in particular are believed to be generally more intelligent and sensitive than the African Bush elephants too.
Yoga practitioners familiar with the practice’s essence understand that it encompasses more than just physical flexibility. The term “yoga,” translating to unity, extends its benefits beyond limbering the body, also serving as a valuable tool for cognitive challenges, whether they’re academic or emotional.
What are your thoughts? Please comment below and share this news!
True Activist / Report a typo
