At Donate Buddies, we talk a lot about the heroes inside your body — the organs that work around the clock to keep you alive, and the amazing donors who give others a second chance at life.

But today, we’re talking about something you can do to care for your body, your organs, and your wellbeing — right now, wherever you are.

Let’s talk about yoga.

🐾 What Is Yoga (And Why Are So Many Poses Named After Animals?)

Yoga is a type of gentle movement and stretching that started in India thousands of years ago. It’s not about doing perfect poses or being super bendy — it’s about connecting your body and your breath, moving gently, and learning to listen to how you feel.

You might notice that lots of yoga poses have animal names, like:

• 🦋 Butterfly Pose – flap your legs like wings

• 🐍 Cobra Pose – stretch up like a slithery snake

• 🐱🐮 Cat-Cow Pose – wiggle your back like a curious cat and a mooing cow

• 🐶 Downward Dog – stretch like a sleepy puppy

That’s because the people who created yoga noticed how animals move when they want to stretch, relax, or feel strong — and they used those movements to help humans feel the same way!

💛 What Does Yoga Have to Do With Organs and Tissue?

Here’s the cool part: Yoga doesn’t just help your arms and legs feel good — it helps your organs too!

When you stretch and breathe deeply, you help:

• 🫀 Your heart pump blood more easily

• 💨 Your lungs fill up with more fresh air

• 🫘 Your kidneys and liver do their jobs better

• 🧠 Your brain feel calmer and less stressed

• 🩹 And your tissue and muscles recover faster!

That’s why yoga is so great for:

• Kids who are waiting for a transplant

• People who are recovering after surgery

• Anyone who wants to stay healthy and strong on the inside

Even just a few minutes of slow stretching and deep breathing can help your body’s superhero systems work their magic.

🧡 How Yoga Helps with Transplant Recovery

After an organ or tissue transplant, your body needs time to rest and heal — but gentle movement like yoga can help you:

• Build back strength without overdoing it

• Improve your breathing

• Reduce anxiety and fear

• Feel more in control of your own body

And guess what? You don’t need to be an expert. Yoga can be as simple as sitting quietly, placing your hands on your chest and belly, and taking big, kind breaths.

💬 Real-Life Heroes Use Yoga Too!

Many transplant survivors — including kids on our Hero Wall — say yoga, walking, and gentle movement helped them feel more confident and strong again. When you’ve been through a big health journey, moving your body becomes a way to say thank you to the organs that are still working so hard.

Yoga reminds us that healing isn’t just physical — it’s emotional, too.

✨ Try These Animal-Inspired Poses at Home

🦁 Lion Breath – Sit tall, breathe in through your nose, then stick out your tongue and ROAR! (It sounds silly, but it helps release tension in your chest and throat!)

🦋 Butterfly Pose – Sit down, press your feet together, and flap your knees like wings. Great for relaxing your hips and helping your organs feel supported.

🐱 Cat-Cow Pose – On your hands and knees, arch your back like a cat, then dip your belly like a cow. This helps your spine, digestion, and kidneys.

🐍 Cobra Pose – Lie on your belly and push up through your hands to open your chest. It’s great for your lungs and heart.

💡 Remember: You Don’t Need to Be “Good” at Yoga

Yoga is about listening to your body, loving it, and giving it space to heal and grow.

Whether you’re a transplant kid, a Donate Buddy, a teacher, or a curious learner — yoga can be a wonderful tool for honouring your body’s journey and connecting with the heroes inside you.

Want to explore more fun ways to support your organs?

👉 Check out our activities: donatebuddies.com.au/kids-activities

👉 Learn about your organs and their stories: donatebuddies.com.au/what-is-organ-donation