From rail yoga to doga and snowga, 5,000-year-old Indian practice takes many bends and twists

Over the past three decades, yoga's many permutations of hot, yin, ashtanga and many more have embedded themselves into the fitness vernacular.

Ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, we look at the latest and most unconventional adaptations to the 5,000-year-old exercise regimen, as it continues to reach all manner of audiences - human or otherwise.

For the first time, travellers will be able to learn yoga on a moving train. A specially themed trip launched by India called "Bharat Gaurav" (Pride of India) debuts on June 21, led by two designated coaches, with instructors and trainers to help yoga fans master different asanas and mudras.

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The train has a capacity of 600 passengers and, over 18 days, will transport travellers to places across India and Nepal linked with the life of Hindu god Lord Ram. Its all-inclusive ticket of about US$800, comes with food and hotel stays in both countries.

In addition to exploring exotic destinations, those who have signed up are thrilled at the prospect of trying "rail yoga". Delhi-based garment exporter Mahesh Sharma, 48, who was among the first to book a place, said: "I'm a huge yoga fan and have been doing asanas for over two decades. But I've never done yoga on a moving train. So I'm very excited about this experience."

Many forms of yoga involve animals. "Doga", for instance, claims to offer health benefits to both humans and their furry friends, encouraging mind-body healing in dogs the same way it does in humans.

Practitioners say it "releases stress" and "enhances focus", while "yoga with dogs" has a global Instagram community of nearly 6,000 followers, who post their exercise photos and reels with their canines.

Fitness studios have jumped on the doga bandwagon by offering classes that usually begin with dogs lying on their sides, with their owners on the mats next to them and then doing a few basic asanas.

"Even though my pug isn't able to master every stretch, he leaves the class happy, relaxed, and with a sense of importance. Plus it's a great bonding exercise for the two of us which is important to me as a pet parent," said US-based Clara Berthelsen, who has been practising doga for three months.

Goat yoga practitioners root for its multiple benefits.

"I've been doing goat yoga for 18 months and have noticed a definite difference in my goat's health during this duration. She's far more energetic and produces more milk," said Surjeet Singh, 37, a Punjab-based dairy farmer.

"Also, I love it when she climbs on my back, snuggles up to me on my mat, or makes funny noises in my ear," said Singh, who performs the exercise, which is similar to doga, twice weekly.

Across the US, where goat yoga has gained popularity in recent years, several farms, goat retreats and dairies offer joint sessions with their animals, extending their offers to brunches and "happy hours", when owners spend exclusive time bonding with their goats.

Some places even offer Mother's Day goat yoga packages.

Another subset is equestrian yoga, which addresses the specific postures and movements of the horseback rider's body. Horse yoga involves balancing poses on horseback when the animal is moving or static - no mean feat considering many find it tough to even slide into a saddle.

For those who like multiple challenges incorporated in their fitness regime, there's nothing quite like "acroyoga", fans say.

"This is an intense form of exercise combining yoga, acrobatics and a Thai massage. There are two different types - lunar and solar. While both involve doing various poses, lunar acroyoga focuses more on improving muscle coordination, the solar lays more emphasis on acrobatics," said yoga guru Abhijeet Singh, who owns a stable with three horses in Rajasthan.

Snowga is an unconventional form of yoga gaining traction among inhabitants of cold regions. Practitioners perform their yoga asanas in the wintry outdoors on thick snow, and often combine it with snow sports like skiing for a comprehensive workout.

However, there are lighter yoga forms as well. "Hula hoop yoga" gained prominence in the 1990s, and across Europe and the US, even has specialist festivals organised around it. Gathered in a circle holding hands, hula hoopers scramble into the hoop before passing it along around the circle, and after several rounds, continue with individual exercises. The workout is believed to strengthen shoulders and build core strength.

For those who want to keep the child in them alive, experts recommend "tantrum yoga".

This yoga form encourages you to do exactly what it says: throw an adult tantrum by screaming loudly, stomping your feet, and beating your chest.

California-based Kirti Bhasin, 36, who tried the version at a holiday retreat in Baja, Mexico, last year said: "It sounds strange but after throwing tantrums, I always find a quiet sense of calm and relief descending upon me. If you have bottled up rage to take care of, this is the perfect catharsis for you."

This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

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