♥ Sanskrit/English Poses
“The vibrational purity and resonating power of Sanskrit is above all an opera on a grand cosmic scale that you can sing with your whole heart and being.” ~Vyass Houston
All of life resonates at a specific vibration. Sanskrit is considered to be one of the oldest languages on earth, comprised of sacred sounds of rhythm, melody and harmony. The Sanskrit names for the physical asanas, or yoga poses, were crafted to reflect the essential nature of that which they describe. The seed sounds, or bijas, that make up each Sanskrit title for a particular yoga pose, carry a unique and intentional frequency. Perfect pronunciation of these bijas resonate with the essential vibration of the universe itself. To call an asana aloud in Sanskrit while aligning yourself in that particular posture is a tangible way to deeply explore the energy of that pose while unifying sound and physical sensation.
I invite us all to welcome more Sanskrit into our lives! 🙂
I offer below a work in progress – I am compiling a list of yoga poses with their corresponding English names.
♥ I will update this as time allows. ♥
Sanskrit ame |
Pronunciation |
English Translation |
Also Called |
Classification |
Dwi Pada Pitham | dvee Pa-da PEET-ham | dwi = two; pada = foot; pitha = stool, chair | Two-legged Table | Supine Pose, Vinyasa |
Savasana | shah-VAHS-anna | sava = corpse | Corpse Pose, Final Resting Pose | Supine Pose |
Supta Baddha Konasana | BAH-dah-cone-AHS-anna | supta= resting, reclining, sleeping; baddha = bound; kona = angle | Reclining Bound Angle Pose | Supine Pose |
Supta Virasana | soup-tah veer-AHS-anna | supta= resting, reclining, sleeping; vira = a hero, brave | Reclining Hero Pose | Supine Pose |
Virabhadrasana II | vira = a hero, brave; Virabhadra = name of a fierce mythical warrior said to have 1,000 heads, eyes, arms & legs | Warrior II Pose | Standing, hip opener | |
Parivrtta Trikonasana | par-ee-vrit-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna | parivrtta = twist, revolve, turned around; tri = three; kona = angle | Revolved Triangle Pose | Standing Pose, Twisting Pose |
Prasarita Padottanasana | prasarita = spread out, expanded; pada = foot, leg; uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Wide-Legged Forward Bend | Standing Pose, Inversion, Forward Bend | |
Virabhadrasana I | vira = a hero, brave; Virabhadra = name of a fierce mythical warrior said to have 1,000 heads, eyes, arms & legs | Warrior I Pose | Standing Pose, Hip Opening, Backbend | |
Utthita Trikonasana | oo-TEE-tah trik cone-NAHS-anna | utthita = extended; tri = three, kona = angle | Triangle pose, Extended Triangle Pose | Standing Pose, Hip Opening |
Parsvottanasana | parsva = side, flank, lateral; uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Intense Side Stretch Pose, Pyramid Pose | Standing Pose, Forward Bend | |
Uttanasana | uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Standing Forward Fold | Standing Pose, Forward Bend | |
Garudasana | garuda = eagle, fierce predatory bird – (said to be the Hindu god Vishnu’s vehicle) | Eagle Pose | Standing Pose, Balance Pose | |
Supta Padangusthasana | supta= resting, reclining, sleeping; pada = foot, leg; angustha = big toe | Reclining Big Toe Pose | Standing pose, balance pose | |
Virabhadrasana III | vira = a hero, brave; Virabhadra = name of a fierce mythical warrior said to have 1,000 heads, eyes, arms & legs | Warrior III Pose | Standing Pose, Balance Pose | |
Vrksasana | vrksa = tree | Tree Pose | Standing Pose, Balance Pose | |
Natarajasana | not-ah-raj-AHS-anna | nata = dancer; raja = king | Lord of the Dance Pose, King Dancer Pose | Standing Pose, Back bend, Balance |
Adho Mukha Savasana | AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna | adho-mukha = face downward | Downward-Facing Dog, Down Dog | Standing Pose |
Parivrtta Baddha Parsvakonasana | par-ee-vrit-tah BAH-dah | parivrtta = twist, revolve, turned around; baddha = bound; parsva = side, flank, lateral; kona = angle | Revolved Side Angle Pose (w/ bind); | Standing Pose |
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana | par-ee-vrt-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna | parivrtta = twist, revolve, turned around; parsva = side, flank, lateral; kona = angle | Revolved Side Angle Pose; | Standing Pose |
Tadasana | tada = mountain | Mountain Pose | Standing Pose | |
Upavesasana | upavistha = seated | Standing Pose | ||
Utkatasana | utkatha = fierce, furious | Chair Pose | Standing Pose | |
Utthita Hasta Padangustasana | utthita = extended; hasta = hand; pada = foot, leg, angustha = big toe | Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose, Standing Big Toe Pose | Standing Pose | |
Utthita Parsvakonasana | cone-NAHS-anna | utthita = extended; parsva = side, flank, lateral; kona = angle | Extended Side Angle Pose | Standing Pose |
Upavistha Konasana | oo-pah-VEESH-tah-cone-AHS-anna | upavistha = seated; kona = angle | Wide-Angle Seated Forward Bend, Seated Wide Legged Straddle | Seated Pose; Forward Bend |
Ardha Matsyendrasana | ARD-hah MOTS-yen-DRAHS-anna | ardha = half; matsya = fish; indra = ruler, lord | Half Lord of the Fishes Pose | Seated Pose, Twist |
Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana | par-ee-vrit-tah JAH-new shear-SHAHS-anna | parivrtta = twist, revolve, turned around; janu = knee; shiras = to touch with the hand | Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose | Seated Pose, Twist |
Janu Sirsasana | JAH-new shear-SHAHS-anna | janu = knee; shiras = to touch with the hand | Head-to-Knee Forward Bend | Seated Pose, Forward Bend |
Kurmasana | koor-MAHS-anna | kurma = tortise; turtle | Turtle Pose | Seated Pose, Forward Bend |
Paschimottanasana | POS-chee-moh-tan-AHS-anna | pascha = behind, westward facing; uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Seated Forward Bend | Seated Pose, Forward Bend |
Supta Kurmasana | koor-MAHS-anna | supta = resting; kurma = tortoise, turtle | Reclining Turtle Pose | Seated Pose, Forward Bend |
Mulabandhasana | moola-ban-DHAS-anna | mula = root, foundation; bandha = binding, tying | Pose of the Root Lock | Seated Pose (for pranayama) |
Baddha Konasana | BAH-dah-cone-AHS-anna | baddha = bound; kona = angle | Bound Angle Pose, Cobbler’s Pose | Seated Pose |
Dandasana | dan-DAHS-anna | danda = staff | Staff Pose | Seated Pose |
Gomukhasana | go-moo-KAHS-anna | go= cow; mukha = face | Cow Face Pose | Seated Pose |
Mahamudra | ma-ha-MOO-dra | maha = great, mighty, strong; mudra = sealing, shutting, closing | The Great Seal | Seated Pose |
Padmasana | pod-MAHS-anna | padma = lotus | Lotus Pose | Seated Pose |
Siddhasana | sid-DHAS-anna | siddha = a sage, profet, proven | Adept’s Pose | Seated Pose |
Sukhasana | suk-HAS-anna | sukha = delight, joy, pleasure/ sukhata = comfort | Easy Pose | Seated Pose |
Svastikasana | sva-steek-AHS-ana | svasa= inspiration | Auspicious Pose | Seated Pose |
Hanumanasana | ha-NEW-mahn-AHS-anna | hunuman = name of the devine chief of monkeys that served Rama | Monkey Pose | Seated Pose |
Balasana | BAH-las-anna | bala = infant | Child’s Pose | Kneeling Pose, Forward Bend |
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana | eh-KAH pad-DAH rah-JAH-cop-poh-TAHS-anna | eka = one; pada = foot, leg ; raja = king; kapota = dove, pigeon | One-Legged King Pigeon Pose | Kneeling Pose, Backbend |
Parighasana | par-ee-GOSS-anna | parigha = a beam or bar used for locking a gate | Gate Pose, Gate-Latch Pose | Kneeling Pose |
Simhasana | sim-HAHS-anna | simha = lion | Lion Pose | Keeling Pose, Jaw Stretch |
Adho Mukha Vrksasana | Ah-doh moo-kah vriks-SHAHS-anna | adho-mukha = face downward; vrksa = tree | Handstand | Inversion |
Ustrasana | oosh-TRAHS-anna | ustra = camel | Camel Pose | Backbend, Kneeling Pose, |
Sphinx Pose | Backbend | |||
Ardha Bhekasana | ARD-hah | ardha = half; | Half Frog Pose | Backbend |
Ashtanga Namaskara | Ashta = eight; anga = limbed; namaskara = salutation, to bow, honor | Knees, Chest, and Chin | Backbend | |
Bhujangasana | boo-jang-GAHS-anna | bhuja = arm, shoulder; anga = limbed; bhujanga = serpent, snake | Cobra Pose | Backbend |
Bitilasana | Cow Pose | Backbend | ||
Camatkarasana | Wild Thing | Backbend | ||
Dhanurasana | Bow Pose | Backbend | ||
Dwi Pada Viparita Dandasana | dwi = two; pada = foot, leg ; danda = staff | Upward Facing Two-Foot Staff Pose | Backbend | |
Kapotasana | kapota = dove, pigeon | King Pigeon Pose | Backbend | |
Matsyasana | mot-see-AHS-anna | matsya = fish | Fish Pose | Backbend |
Pincha Mayurasana | pin-cha my-your-AHS-anna | piñca = feather; mayura = peacock | Feathered Peacock Pose, Forearm Stand | Backbend |
Setu Bandha Sarvangasana | sar-van-GAHS-anna | bandha = binding, tying; sarva = all; anga = limb | Bridge Pose | Backbend |
Shalabasana | sha-la-BAHS-anna | salabha = grasshopper, locust | Locust Pose | Backbend |
Urdhva Dhanurasana | OORD-vah don-your-AHS-anna | Urdva = upward; dhanu = bow | Upward Bow, Wheel Pose | Backbend |
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana | OORD-vah MOO-kah shvon-AHS-anna | Urdva = upward; mukha = face | Upward-Facing Dog | Backbend |
Chaturanga Dandasana | chaht-tour-ANG-ah don-DAHS-anna | chatur = four; anga = limbed; danda = staff | Four-Limbed Staff Pose | Arm Balance |
High Lunge, Variation | ||||
High Lunge | ||||
Dolphin Plank Pose | ||||
Dolphin Pose | ||||
Adho Mukha Savasana Natarajasana | AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna | adho-mukha = face downward; nata = dancer; raja = king | Downward-Facing Dog Dancer Pose | |
Agnistambhasana | Fire Log Pose | |||
Ananda Balasana | Happy Baby Pose | |||
Anantasana | Side-Reclining Leg Lift, Sleeping Vishnu Pose | |||
Anjaneyasana | Low Lunge, Crescent Lunge Pose, Grounded Warrior I | |||
Ardha Chandrasana | ARD-hah | ardha = half; chandra = moon | Half Moon Pose | |
Ardha Uttanasana | ARD-hah | ardha = half; uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Standing Half Forward Bend | |
Astavakrasana | ahsh-tah-vah-krahs-anna | Ashta = eight; vakra = bent, curved | Eight-Angle Pose | |
Baddha Parighasana | BAH-dah | baddha = bound | Bound Gate | |
Baddha Setu Bandha Sarvangasana | BAH-dah sar-van-GAHS-anna | baddha = bound; Setu = ; bandha = binding, tying; sarva = all; anga = limb | Bound Bridge Pose, Bound Half Wheel | |
Bakasana | Crane Pose, Crow Pose | |||
Bharadvajasana I | Bharadvaja’s Twist | |||
Bhujapidasana | bhuja = arm, shoulder | Shoulder-Pressing Pose | ||
Eka Pada Galavasana | eh-KAH pad-DAH | eka = one; pada = foot, leg | Flying Crow Pose | |
Eka Pada Koundiyanasana I | eh-KAH pad-DAH | eka = one; pada = foot, leg | Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya I | |
Eka Pada Koundiyanasana II | eh-KAH pad-DAH | eka = one; pada = foot, leg | Pose Dedicated to the Sage Koundinya II | |
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II | eh-KAH pad-DAH | eka = one; pada = foot, leg ; raja = king; kapota = dove, pigeon | One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II | |
Halasana | Plow Pose | |||
Krounchasana | Heron Pose | |||
Kumbhakasana /Utthita Chaturanga Dandasana | oot-T-HEE-tuh chaht-tour-ANG-ah dan-DAHS-anna | kumbhak = breath retention / utthita = extended; chatur = four; anga = limbed; danda = staff |
Plank Pose | |
Lolasana | Pendant Pose | |||
Malasana | Garland Pose | |||
Marichyasana I | Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi, I | |||
Marichyasana III | Marichi’s Pose | |||
Marjaryasana | Cat Pose | |||
Mayurasana | Peacock Pose | |||
Navasana | nava = a boat | Boat Pose | ||
Padansthasana | pada = foot, leg; angustha = big toe | Big Toe Pose | ||
Paripurna Navasana | Full Boat Pose | |||
Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana | par-ee-vrit-tah are-dah chan-DRAHS-anna | parivrtta = twist, revolve, turned around; ardha = half; Chandra = moon | Revolved Half Moon Pose | |
Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana | par-ee-vrit-tah | parivrtta = twist, revolve, turned around; | Compass Pose | |
Parsva Bakasana | parsva = side, flank, lateral; | Side Crane Pose, Side Crow Pose | ||
Pasasana | Noose Pose | |||
Purvottanasana | uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Upward Plank Pose | ||
Salamba Sarvangasana | sah-LOM-bah sar-van-GAHS-anna | sa = with; alamba = support; sarva = all; anga = limb | Supported Shoulder stand | |
Salamba Sirsasana | sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna | sa = with; alamba = support; sirsa = head | Supported Headstand | |
Salambhasana | sah-LOM-bah | Locust Pose | ||
Samasthiti | sama = equal, same; asthiti = position, standing-place | Mountain Pose | ||
Supta Matsyendrasana | mot-see-AH | supta= resting, reclining, sleeping; matsya = fish; indra = ruler, lord | Supine Spinal Twist | |
Surya Namaskar | surya = sun; namas = to bow, salute, honor; kri = to do, make, act | Sun Salutation | ||
Svarga Dvijasana | Bird of Paradise Pose | |||
Tittibhasana | Firefly Pose | |||
Tolasana | Scale Pose | |||
Urdhva Hastasana | Urdva = upward; hasta = hand | Upward Salute, Raised Hands Pose | ||
Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana | OORD-vah eka = one | Urdva = upward; prasarita = spread out, expanded; pada = foot, leg | Standing Split | |
Utkata Konasana | cone-NAHS-anna | utkatha = fierce; kona = angle | Goddess or Victory Squat | |
Uttana Shishosana | uttana = stretched out/over, an intense stretch | Extended Puppy Pose | ||
Vasisthasana | Side Plank Pose | |||
Viparita Karani | Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose | |||
Virasana | vira = a hero, brave | Hero Pose | ||
Vrschikasana | Scorpion Pose | |||
Yoga Nidrasana | Sleeping Yogi Pose |