According to media reports, the elephants at Houston Zoo participate in a comprehensive well-being program that includes daily exercises resembling yoga. The program stimulates the animals’ bodies and brains through static and dynamic stretches. The animals are encouraged to participate and rewarded with special treats like bananas and whole wheat bread. The program helps ensure the elephants receive proper healthcare and allows veterinary staff to track their progress and well-being. Elephant supervisor Kristin Windle said cultivating positive relationships between elephants and their caregivers is critical to their care.
Daily Yoga is Good for You And Elephants
Yoga is a practice that has been around for centuries, and its popularity is growing exponentially around the world. Many practice it to reduce stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength. But did you know that elephants can benefit from yoga too?
Benefits of Daily Yoga
Regular yoga practice has countless benefits for humans, including improved physical and mental health. The physical benefits of yoga are vast and include increased flexibility, strength, and balance. Yoga also helps to reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality. These benefits are why people are taking up daily yoga practice.
Yoga and Elephants
Elephants are intelligent and powerful animals that roam the forests and savannahs of Asia and Africa. These gentle giants are known for their strength, grace, and tranquility. But even elephants can benefit from regular yoga practice.
Elephants in captivity typically live in small and cramped enclosures, leading to a lack of exercise opportunities. Lack of exercise can lead to obesity, poor muscle tone, and other health problems. Introducing daily yoga practice into an elephant’s life can help promote better flexibility, range of motion, and strength. It can also stimulate their minds and reduce stress.
The Practice of Yoga for Elephants
Yoga for elephants, known as hathi yoga, is not new. It has been practiced by elephant keepers in India for centuries. Hathi yoga combines traditional Indian yogic asanas with elephant-specific movements.
Elephant keepers use a combination of vocal cues and tactile feedback to guide the elephants through each pose. The poses include downward dog, seated twists, and lunges. The yoga sessions usually last about 30 minutes and are performed daily.
Conclusion
Daily yoga practice has numerous benefits for humans and elephants alike. By practicing yoga, humans can improve their physical and mental health, while elephants can enjoy increased flexibility, strength, and reduced stress levels. Hathi yoga has been used to improve the lives of elephants in captivity for centuries, and its popularity continues to grow. By embracing the practice of yoga, both humans and elephants can experience a better quality of life.
