Babar's Yoga for Elephants

Written in good humor for adults and children. I got it for my grandchildren and they like it. Babar talks to people as though they were visitors from another country, who need to be told about the wonderful things in his world. Yoga is one of those wonderful things.

Hatha Yoga is generally form based. Elephants need to know the "proper" position for their trunks while they perform asanas. The author shows where the trunks should be positioned for maximum effect.Humans can also follow the book's pictures, sans the trunk positions, and perform a nice hatha class.

As Babar earnestly tells us on page one, archaeololgists recently discovered drawings on cave walls of elephants in yoga positions. After much research and study, these scientists came to the conclusion that "not only were elephants capable of performing yoga, it seemed they had invented it." Unfortunately, over many millions of years, this ancient art was forgotten. But now, yoga has once again become popular among elephants, especially in Babar's home of Celesteville. "The life of a modern-day elephant is stressful and complicated. Yoga turned out to be exactly what we in Celesteville needed, offering calm and control in days that were busy and demanding..." Join our friendly and endearing pachyderm as he explains in detailed, easy to follow, step by step instructions and pictures, fifteen yoga exercises. And then join Babar and Celeste on their many travels and adventures as they demonstrate just how they use them. Often they try and match their yoga positions to the things around them. "I think it is a nice way to meditate. This allows us to connect to the world around us." At the Metropolitan Museum of Art Babar posed in the Arm Balance position and looked just like a skyscraper. Paris' Eiffel Tower inspired Proud Warrior, and Venice's Piazza San Marco was the perfect setting for Standing Head to Knee. And at the Golden Gate Bridge, he and Celeste enjoyed doing the Cobra together..... Laurent De Brunhoff's engaging and humorous text begs to be read aloud and shared and is complemented by his playful and entertaining, signature illustrations. Together word and art create a clever how-to picture book, that will have youngsters out of their seats and on their mats, practicing yoga poses and breathing exercises, stretching, and improving their balance and strength. Perfect for kids of all ages, Babar's Yoga For Elephants is a timeless treasure and a sure classic in the years to come. As Babar reminds us on the last page..."Do a little yoga every day. At first you may not notice any difference. But keep it up, and after a few weeks I believe you will feel better in body and spirit. All of us in Celesteville hope that Yoga for Elephants will bring you peace and inner harmony."

After teaching Yoga for 30 years, it's wonderful to have my favorite character Babar, as an aide. I'll use his book as a humorous textbook for my practice.Thank you dear Babar, I've always admired you.SUSIe

I very much enjoyed the adventures of Babar when I was younger. This book has just tickled my fancy and I am ordering one for my yoga teacher and partner. It is well done, entertaining, extremely accurate (how do elephants get into those poses when I can't?) and a great treasure for someone into the practice of yoga. This will be on my list of Eastern-themed gift books to give this Holiday season, along with my other favorite gift book Open Your Mind, Open Your Life by Taro Gold.