Metamorphosis

METAMORPHOSIS: An Artist Envisions the Asanas of Yoga, illustrations by Emanuele Scanziani, with text by Jennifer Abel. Tara Publishing; tarabooks.com

By Annie Buckley

When children practice yoga, they are often taught to stand tall like a tree in Tree Pose, roar like a lion in Lion Pose, or blossom like a flower in Lotus Pose. This picture book encourages readers of all ages to think about the fun shapes of poses and the objects in nature that they mimic. Emanuele Scanziani's pen-and-ink drawings and Jennifer Abel's short, poetic asana instructions -provide inspiration and just enough information to be able to mold your spine into a turtle shell or channel the poise of a peacock. For example, a crouching crane is drawn with human legs for wings, tucked in and balanced on the bird's arms. A simple sentence provides the pose's only instruction: "In Bakasana [Crane Pose], the yogi envisions himself as a graceful and rounded waterfowl, extending his neck forward to graze among the reeds."

The grace and spirit of each image are the focus here, making for a lighthearted and enjoyable practice, as empowering as it is spiritual. Come prepared with a healthy dose of imagination, and Scanziani's drawings of humans morphing into plants and animals will provide the perfect springboard for shape-shifting your body, mind, and heart while transforming your practice into a playful meditation on the diversity of nature.

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