Book excerpt: Downward dog, tree pose, Marichyasana . . . Have you ever wondered how these names for yoga poses came about, inspired from animals, nature, and even sages? Using thirty carefully researched asanas, yoga teacher Pragya Bhatt draws upon her own yoga practice and research to make a connection between ancient Indian mythology and modern yoga practice. By depicting the beauty and form of each asana through the lens of Joel Koechlin, this book intends to add meaning and value for practitioners and non-practitioners alike, shedding new light on a familiar subject.