Yoga Poses
Yoga Asanas or postures are body positions, typically associated with the practice of Yoga. They are intended primarily to restore and maintain a practitioner's well-being, improve the body's flexibility and vitality.
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"Akarshana" means "pulling" and "Dhanus" means "bow" in Sanskrit. In this posture, the big toes are pulled up to the ear (alternately) as an archer pulls back the string of his bow and gets ready to shoot an arrow.
This is a pose named after the sleeping position of Lord Vishnu.
"Ardha" means 'half' and 'Hala' means 'plough' in.
"Ardha" means "half" in Sanskrit. Since the full posture is difficult to be practiced, the half-posture, which is easier, is followed widely. This posture was first promoted by the great Yogi Matsyendranath, one of the founders of Hatha Yoga, and hence the name.
"Ardha" means "half" and "Padma" means "lotus" in Sanskrit. Those who are unable to assume the full Padmasana posture using both legs as described above owing to the stiffness of their legs or bulky thighs may begin practicing with one leg at a time alternately until they are able to develop the full posture. With the practice of this asana daily, they will be able to take that posture for a long time without discomfort and switch on to the full Padmasana posture after sufficient practice.
"Shalabha" means "locust" in Sanskrit. The final position of this asana resembles a locust when it lowers its head to eat and raises its tail. Hence, the name. 'Ardha' means 'half' in Sanskrit.
"Baddha" means "locked-up" and "kona" means "angle" in Sanskrit.
"Baddha" means "bound' or "locked-up" in Sanskrit. The limbs of the body (both arms and legs) are firmly 'locked-up' and immobilized in this posture so as to give it steadiness. In this posture, the big toes are grasped by the fingers with arms crossed from behind.
"Bala" in Sanskrit means "child". Hence this pose is also known as the 'child pose'. Balasana provides relaxation to the exhausted mind and body. In other words, Balasana is simply a relaxation position in between the other yoga exercises.
"Bhadra" means 'beneficial' in Sanskrit.
"Bhujanga" means "cobra" in Sanskrit. This asana is called "Bhujangasana" as the raised trunk, neck and head while practicing it resemble a cobra rearing its hood and about to strike, while the joined and stretched legs resemble its tail.
"Chakra" means "wheel" in Sanskrit.
"Chakra" means "wheel" in Sanskrit. In the final position of this asana, the body is arched backward and resembles the rim of a wheel. Hence the name.
"Danda" means "stick" in Sanskrit.
"Dhanus" means "bow" in Sanskrit. In the final position of this asana, the body takes the shape of a bow, drawn tight to shoot an arrow. The stretched arms and lower legs resemble the taut bowstring, while the trunk and thighs resemble the wooden part of the bow.
"Go" means "cow" and "Mukha" means "face" in Sanskrit. When this asana is performed, the final position of the legs resembles the face of a cow.
"Hala" means "Plough" in Sanskrit. This posture is called 'Halasana' because in the final position the body resembles the Indian plough.
"Janu" means "knee" and "hasta" means "hand" in Sanskrit. The hand is made to rest near the knee in this posture, hence the name.
"Janu" means "knee" and "Siras" means "head" in Sanskrit. The head is made to rest on the knee in this posture, hence the name.
Kandasana - Upward Ankle Twist PoseKandasana comes from the Sanskrit word "kanda" meaning "bulbous root". Since, in this pose, the legs form a shape like the bulb of an onion, hence this pose is named as Kandasana.
"Kona" in Sanskrit means "angle". However, Konasana has not found its origin from the Yogic texts. It is just a traditional pose. It is a kind of warm up exercise for other asanas like Baddha konasana, Supta Baddha Konsana, Upavistha Konasana etc.
"Makar" means "crocodile" in Sanskrit.
"Manduk" means "frog" in Sanskrit. The arrangement of the legs in this posture resembles the hind legs of a frog. Hence the name.
"Matsya" means "fish" in Sanskrit. If a person lies steadily on water in this posture, he can keep floating on it easily like a fish without the help of the hands and legs, as the name of the asana suggests.
"Mayur" in Sanskrit means "peacock". Since in this pose one assumes the shape of a peacock, hence it is called Mayurasana. Here the whole body is like a stick balanced on both the elbows.
"Nata" in Sanskrit means "dancer" and "raja" means "king". 'Nataraja' is another name of Shiva, the Lord of the Dance. Hence this pose symbolizes the dance of Lord Shiva.
"Nauka" means "boat" in Sanskrit. The final position of this asana resembles a boat. Hence the name.
"Oordhwa" means "raised", "Pada" means "foot" and "Hasta" means "hand" in Sanskrit. You have to touch your raised feet with your hands in this posture.
"Pada" means "foot" and "Hasta" means "hand" in Sanskrit. You have to catch your big toes with your hands in this posture.
"Padma" means "lotus" in Sanskrit. "Padmasana" means sitting in the "Lotus Pose". This posture is called Padmasana because the arrangement of the hands and feet resemble a lotus when seen from a distance. The two feet placed upon the opposite thigh resemble the leaves while the two hands placed one over the other resembles the lotus in full bloom.
"Parvata" means "mountain" in Sanskrit. As the arms are raised high and the fingers are joined together above the head in this posture, the body resembles mountain peak and hence the name.
"Paschima" means 'behind', 'back' or 'posterior' and 'Uttana' means to stretch out in Sanskrit. "Paschimotana" means stretching the posterior regions of the body.
"Pavana" in Sanskrit means "air or gas" and "mukta" means "free or release". Hence, this pose is also known as the wind releasing pose. It is a yoga posture through which the stagnant air or gas from the body is released.
"Titali" means "butterfly" in Sanskrit.
In Sanskrit "sama" means "equilibrium". In this asana the external organs of the body are kept in such a way that they stand divided into two, hence the name Samasana.
"Shalabha" means "locust" in Sanskrit. The final position of this asana resembles a locust when it lowers its head to eat and raises its tail. Hence, the name.
"Sasanka" means "hare" in Sanskrit. The final position of this asana resembles a bounding hare.
"Sava" means "dead body" in Sanskrit. To practice this asana, one should lie motionless on the floor like as dead body in order to secure complete relaxation of all parts of his body and remove tensions, both physical and mental.
"Shalabha" means "locust" in Sanskrit. The final position of this asana resembles a locust when it lowers its head to eat and raises its tail. Hence, the name.
"Siddha" means a spiritually enlightened person in Sanskrit.
"Simha" in Sanskrit means "lion" and hence this pose resembles a seating lion.
"Sirsha" means "head" in Sanskrit. It is required to "stand on his head" in this asana and hence the name.
"Sukha" means "pleasant" or "comfortable" in Sanskrit. Any cross-legged sitting position which you find comfortable, in which the body does not shake and in which you can remain at ease for a long time, is called Sukhasana.
Supta Baddha Konasana - Reclining Bound Angle Pose"Supta" in Sanskrit means "reclining", "Baddha" means "locked up or bound" and "Kona" means "angle". Hence, this asana also means 'Reclining Bound Angle Pose'.
This pose involves abdominal twisting.
"Supta" means "asleep" in Sanskrit. "Supta Vajrasana" is lying down supine in Vajrasana.
"Surya" in Sanskrit means "The Sun God" and "Namaskar" means "connoting obeisance". Surya Namaskar or the sun salutation hence literally means "saluting to the sun".
"Svastika" in Sankrit means "auspicious", hence this pose is also known as the auspicious pose. Svastikasana when split into "Su-asti-ka" also means "being well and healthy". Hence, among the meditative postures, Svastikasana is considered as an auspicious sign.
"Tada" in Sanskrit means “mountain”. Hence, this pose is also known as the Mountain Pose.
"Tala" means "palm tree" in Sanskrit. In this posture, the body is held upright like the trunk of a palm tree. Hence the name.
This pose is also known as the 'weighing scale' pose because when this asana is performed, the body takes the shape of a weighing scale. This is a balancing act and this asana balances the body like the 'balance'.
"Tri" means "three", "Kona" means "angle", and "Trikona" means "triangle" in Sanskrit The straight legs with the floor between the feet resemble the three sides of a triangle in this asana. Hence the name.
"Ugra" in Sanskrit means "difficult or frightening". "Ugra" also means "Shiva". Since, Lord Shiva is believed to be the God of annihilation, so he is called 'Ugra'. That is why this pose is known as Ugrasana because while practising it, people experience difficulties. It is an extended pose of Paschimotanasana.
"Upavistha" in Sankrit means "seated or sitting", "Kona" means "angle", hence this pose is also known as 'Wide Angle Forward Bend' or the 'Seated Wide Legged Straddle'.
This pose is also called Downward Dog or Downward-Facing Dog.
"Ushtra" means "camel" in Sanskrit.
"Ut" means 'raised' and "kata' means "hips" in Sanskrit. This posture is known as "Utkatasana" because while practicing it, the heels and hips are raised.
"Ut" in Sanskrit means "intense" and "tan" means "to stretch or extend". Uttanasana literally means "intense stretch" pose.
In this asana both the legs are raised upwards and so is called 'dwipada' (both legs) uttanpadasana.
"Vajra" means "adamant" in Sanskrit. Sitting in this asana will provide firmness or stability to the sitter like that of an adamant person. Hence the name.
"Vaka" in Sanskrit means "crane". That is why this pose is known as Vakasana because we assume the form of a crane in this pose.
"Vakra" means "twisted". This asana is designed to twist the spine to the right and left side in from its erect position.
"Veera" in Sanskrit means "brave". The way a brave man takes his position while attacking his enemy, the similar position is formed in this asana. Hence it is called as "Veerasana", the pose of a Warrior.
"Viparita" means "inverted" and "Karani" means "action" in Sanskrit. The usual posture of the body is inverted in this practice.
It is a posture. It is a potent asana, symbolizing physical power and invigorating energy. It is performed in three stages - Virabhadrasana I, Virabhadrasana II and Virabhadrasana III. It imbues strength, courage, endurance and confidence to the performer.
"Vriksha" means "tree" in Sanskrit. In the final position of this asana, you have to stand still like a tree.
