Learning the Sanskrit Names of Poses

If you have ever struggled with learning the Sanskrit names of the poses we do in class, knowing some basic root words might help you get started.

Body Parts:

• Anga - limb
• Angustha - big toe
• Bhuja - shoulder
• Hasta - arm or hand
• Janu - knee
• Karna - ear 
• Mukha - face
• Pada - leg or foot
• Sirsa - head

Numbers:

• Ardha - half
• Eka - one
• Dwi - two
• Tri - three
• Chatur - four

Adjectives:

• Urdhva - upward
• Adho - downward
• Purvo - eastward or anterior
• Paschi - westward or posterior
• Prasarita - spreading or extending
• Uttana - intense [stretch]
• Sarva - all 
• Supta - supine
• Parivrtta - revolved
• Parsva - side
• Baddha - bound
• Upavistha - seated

Common Yoga Nouns:

• Asana - pose
• Svan - dog
• Chandra - moon
• Dhanura - bow
• Garuda - eagle
• Go - cow
• Nava - boat
• Tada - mountain
• Vira - hero
• Virabhadra - Warrior
• Vrk - tree